Underestimate Flyers’ second-round draft pick and the joke’s on you

VOORHEES, N.J. – Every team needs a social glue guy.
Two can be even better.
First, we’re talking about someone like Travis Konecny, a natural-born cutup who can keep the Flyers’ locker room loose with a well-timed one-liner at the drop of a hat.
He might be getting some company one of these days.
While it most likely is a bit early to be talking about an 18-year-old defenseman like Brek Liske joining the fun bunch, this much we do know: He’s certainly qualified.
This kid not only plays good defense, he can crack jokes with the best of them.
Just last Friday at the NHL Draft, the Flyers’ second-round (53rd overall) selection was keeping a media Zoom call chuckling with his humorous observations.
Like stories about the 30-some Flyers jerseys he and his father already possessed before the NHL team came calling.
Of course, when things get serious, Liske can hold his own against some rather serious speedsters, like when he’s been playing for Everett in the Western Hockey League.
So, Brek, do people appreciate your comic talents?
“Absolutely,” he said with a grin during Development Camp at the Flyers Training Center. “Came into camp, not necessarily a shy guy. My voice has definitely been heard.”
The nice thing is he can take it as easily as give it. That’s what can endear this type of player to his teammates.
“I like to talk and joke around a lot,” he said. “For better or for worse. Obviously there are no games here right now. . .I’m not always joking around, especially when games get tight.
“But at camp everyone’s been great to me. Just bein’ myself.”
Liske played so well this year for Everett of the Western Hockey League that he found himself on the Silvertips’ top defense pairing with All-World Landon DuPont.
“It was awesome,” said Liske, who helped Everett make it to the Memorial Cup final. “He’s an unreal player but a better guy. Best teammate ever. Playing in front of those cameras, the spotlight. There’s a lot of responsibility being that first pairing. I enjoy it. It almost helps my confidence, being relied on by my coach, my team. I think it helped me play better.”
There are still some things he has to work on.
“A few technical things,” he said. “I want to get my feet a little quicker. Get a little more shifty. All the little nuances of the game.”
Brek’s dad, Lonnie, was a big Flyers fan going back as far as he can remember. Even though he lived thousands of miles away from Philadelphia, Lonnie just liked the way the Flyers played. And that rubbed off on Brek.
Asked for the origin of his name, Brek said there is none.
“I asked my parents,” he said. “They were like, ‘yeah, we looked in the book and found it cool. Fair enough.”