His sights set on an NHL career, the Russia-born Provorov left his family behind and moved to the United States at 13 to learn the North American style of hockey.

Clearly it was a move in the right direction. Five years later, Provorov went into the 2015 NHL Draft ranked seventh among North American skaters, and the Philadelphia Flyers selected him with the No. 7 pick.

While still learning to speak English, Provorov played in North America for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the Atlantic Youth Hockey League during the 2012-13 season and had 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 24 games. He made the jump to the United States Hockey League with Cedar Rapids in 2013-14, when he had six goals and 19 points in 56 games.

Provorov joined Brandon of the Western Hockey League in 2014-15 and had 61 points (15 goals, 46 assists) in 60 games.

A smooth skater who excels at moving the puck and getting his shot on net, Provorov had 73 points (21 goals, 52 assists) in 62 games in his second season with Brandon and was named the WHL's top defenseman. He led WHL defensemen in points, was third among defensemen in goals and led WHL skaters with a plus-64 rating.

Provorov made the Flyers out of training camp and had an assist in NHL debut Oct. 14, 2016 against the Los Angeles Kings and scored his first NHL goal on Nov. 23, 2016 against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He finished the season with 30 points (six goals, 24 assists) in 82 games and placed ninth in voting for the Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top rookie.

He scored 17 goals in 82 games in 2017-18, and seven goals in 2018-19 when he played all 82 games for the third straight season.

Provorov signed a six-year contract with the Flyers on Sept. 12, 2019, and was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a three-team deal involving the Flyers and Los Angeles Kings on June 6, 2023.

He signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract to stay with Columbus on July 1, 2025.