The 2026 Winter Olympics are less than a week away, so NHL players involved in the Games most likely are thinking ahead to the tournament in Italy. Travis Sanheim is no exception. The Flyers’ backliner has had February on his mind since the Canada team was announced at the end of December. However , there are still a couple more games left on Philadelphia’s schedule before the three-week break and that’s his No. 1 priority right now. These are the first Olympics for the 29-year-old Sanheim and, for all he knows, they could be his last. He will be 33 by the time the 2030 Olympics roll around and things can change a lot in four years. “I think there’s so much going on here with the Flyers, that’s my main focus,” he said after Tuesday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center in Voorhees, New Jersey. “Getting this team winning hockey games.” The Elkhorn, Manitoba, Canada, native is considered the Flyers’ top defenseman. He’s among the franchise all-time leaders for defensemen with 631 games, 60 goals and 236 points. Now in his ninth season with the club, he’s only been to the playoffs twice, a total of 20 postseason games, and that has to be disappointing. Then again, there are moments in a hockey career which can make up for those lack of playoff experiences, like the Olympics. Only a select few get to go. With just those couple of games remaining on the Flyers’ slate before the break, the team’s top pick (17th overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft wants to stay in the moment. “We’re trying to keep our eye on that, consistently winning,” he said. “That’s where my mind is right now. My wife has been dealing with a bunch of the Olympic stuff and trying to get that stuff ready so when that time comes, I’ll be super excited and ready to go. But right now my focus is with the Flyers.” Flyers Charities Carnival time It’s that time again. Xfinity Mobile Center will be buzzing again Sunday as the Flyers Charities Carnival takes center stage at the team’s home arena in Philadelphia. The big event just keeps getting better and better. Fans can meet the players, ride an indoor Ferris wheel and play tailgate games. As for the story of the event, the first one was held back on Feb. 1, 1977. It was originally designed to raise funds for Flyers defenseman Barry Ashbee, who was battling leukemia. Following Ashbee’s death later in 1977, the event continued, becoming a beloved, decades-long tradition formerly known as the “Flyers Wives Fight for Lives Carnival.” Over the years, the Carnival has been an overwhelming financial success, supplying funds for local organizations, focusing on cancer treatment, research, and community, including Ed Snider Youth Hockey Education and Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. The Carnival is known for transforming the XMA into a massive, interactive party featuring a Ferris wheel, carousel, dunk tank, and the unique opportunity for fans to play games against or get autographs from Flyers players, alumni, and Gritty. The 2026 event continues this tradition, with Comcast Spectacor Charities having contributed $25 million to charity since its inception. Parking is free. The doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets can be purchased online. Some bright goaltending prospects Two young talents we didn’t mention in last week’s column about Flyers prospects are Canada native Carson Bjarnason and Russia’s Yegor Zavragin. Bjarnason, 20, has been doing some exceptional work for the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. As of Thursday he was 10-5-3 with a 2.86 goals-against average, which is not bad in wide-open American Hockey League play. Zavragin, 20, has been catching some attention with his 1.40 GAA for St. Petersburg in the Russia-VHL. He’s part of a three-goalie rotation for a very good team. Assistant GM Brent Flahr, who oversees scouting, sees good things in both of them. “He [Bjarnason] has always had that easy-going demeanor,” Flahr said. “He’s big, athletic, has really good tools to grow his game on. Down at Lehigh this year he’s been tremendous. He’s in a good spot for us right now and looks like he has a bright future.” Zavragian hopes to be coming over to North America soon. “He’s doing all the things he needs to do,” Flahr said. “He’s still very young for goalies in that league but he’s performed well already. He would like to get out there more but at the same time you have to earn your stripes.” Wayne Fish is a freelance writer. Follow his coverage at www.flyingfishhockey.com ...read more read less