Photo Credit: Philadelphia Flyers PR
Michkov mania has been rampant for the past few months throughout the Philadelphia region and abroad, for good reason. Matvei Michkov played in his first game as a Flyer, unofficially since it doesn’t count, technically speaking. Fans were treated to a fun-filled night of seeing his skating abilities and stick handling abilities, especially behind the net.
With Michkov, it brings out scouts. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Utah Hockey Club, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadians, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Buffalo Sabres were the other organizations with scouts in attendance. Believe it or not, former Flyer and Phantom Neil Little represented the Montreal Canadians organization.
On-ice everything is great, so how is everything off-ice? Everything seems to be going great for Michkov. We have learned he is a family man. Following the game on Friday night, he got a little emotional talking about his first goal and what it meant to him and his family. One could sense that goal meant a lot not only to him, but his family. His mom and brother were upstairs in the arena watching the game, and they were able to see his first goal as a Flyer.
Another thing we have learned is both him and Egor Zamula are very close. There was A reason the Flyers extended Zamula, and obviously helping Michkov adapt to North America was one of the very reasons. The two are best friends now, and it’s great to see. Ivan Fedotov is also very close to Michkov. Michkov is also learning the English language, and he even answered a question in English after the game on Friday night saying, “Thank you.”
One major tidbit of learning about Michkov is how competitive he is. He hates to lose, he just wants to win. Michkov lives and breathes the sport of hockey, that’s it. Following the game on Friday night, he made it clear after talking about his first goal, “Not happy about the loss today, but after the game we will get better.” Competitiveness cannot be taught, that is something that is ingrained in you, and Michkov has it.
Lastly, Michkov and Oliver Bonk don’t just have chemistry on the ice together, but they get along just well. The two are becoming friends, and it’s become apparent with how they act with one another on the ice. The pair give fist pumps to each other, talk to each other, laugh with one another, and just have fun together. They seek each other out when the pair are on the ice together.
Everything is going as planned with Michkov now in the states. It’s going to take more time for him and his family to become adapted to North America, but it couldn’t have gone any better than it has been. I get a sense that he won’t need a translator by the end of the season.
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Oliver Bonk is an overrated stiff. Dude has zero speed and hockey IQ; at best, a third-pairing NHL defenseman, but more likely a career AHL dud. They passed over future Ranger stud Gabriel Perrault to draft this fraud, who was evaluated as a 4th round prospect at best. Another draft pick bust, for the organ-I-zation who has made a mockery of the draft since day 1.
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