TORONTO - First semester of college can often be a challenge for many students, but for Tanner Laczynski, the experience was a sweet one - literally.
Part of Laczynski's course load at Ohio State University was "Chocolate Science." According to the course website, students receive an "introduction to science and business of chocolate. Students develop and market a chocolate product as part of a virtual company. Students taste commercial products."
Laczynski, who plans to declare his major in business in his second semester, got a lesson in chocolates from around the world during the course.
"Chocolate Science wasn't bad," Laczynski said with a laugh a few weeks ago. "All I did was eat chocolate and write a paper about it. There's lots of different chocolate, and they all taste good."
Growing up 43 miles outside of Chicago in Shorewood, Illinois, Laczynski wasn't a big football fan, saying there wasn't much to cheer for with respects to the Bears, but since relocating to the Buckeye State, he's taken up interest in the local team.
"That's a big part of it," Laczynski said of attending OSU. "I've been to two games, they haven't been the strongest opponents so kind of blowouts."
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Laczynski was in the middle of a nap when the Flyers used their sixth-round pick to select him on the second day of the 2016 NHL draft. He was admittedly startled to be woken up by his parents, Ken and Dawn, along with sister Payton and brother Hayden.
"I'd just gotten back home from coaching some kids, it was early in the morning, came back, took a nap and my parents were all excited," Laczynski said. "I was still tired from my nap, but woke up pretty quick.
"They just kind of attacked me so I was kind of like, 'What's going on?' at first. That was unbelievable and it's a moment I won't forget."
After a quick phone call from his agent, Flyers amateur scout Nick Pryor and John Riley, in charge of player development in Philly, were on the phone to welcome Laczynski to the club.
This season, the 19-year-old had six goals and 16 assists in 15 games prior to leaving to join Team USA at the World Junior Hockey Championships.
The under-20 tournament is the third time Laczynski has represented the U.S. internationally. He also wore Team USA colors for the under-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial tournament and the under-19 World Junior A Challenge.
Through the first six games at the world juniors, Laczynski tallied one goal and an assist. He missed the semifinals against Russia because of an illness, but was in the lineup as the Americans defeated the Canadians, 5-4, in a shootout to win gold.
Despite being just three months into his first year at OSU, the Flyers remain in constant communication with their prospect.
"I talk to John Riley quite a bit, he's always in contact with me sending me game film and sending me clips of NHL highlights and stuff like that," Laczynski said. "We keep in touch, it's a relationship and it's nice to keep in touch with him."
During his freshman season, skating has been an area of focus for the 6-foot-1, 190-pound forward.
"I think my big thing is my first couple steps, just my quickness, stopping, getting back on it. I think that's my biggest thing," he said. "Once I get that down, I feel like I have the speed, but just build an extra step, just improve on that, I think that'll be a tremendous help to my game."
Laczynski, who spent three seasons in the USHL prior to committing to the Buckeyes, said he tries to model his game after one-time Flyer Jaromir Jagr.
"He's kind of the guy that I watched a lot just because of his puck protection and everything," Laczynski said. "I try to kind of use my body to protect the puck down low and create some chances in the offensive zone.
"He's got a really good stick - I try to watch that and have an active stick in the defensive zone and offensive zone, as well."
In his conversations with Riley and Pryor, the expectations for Laczynski are clear.
"Their goal for me is just to consistently play nine out of 10 nights instead of that seven out of 10 nights and get my game elevated a little bit more, play more consistently," Laczynski said.
"I think that's the biggest thing."
