KODAK Digital Still Camera
Photo Credit: Our very own Rob Windfelder
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 didn’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.”
So is his first camp going? It’s going good, and he is enjoying skating, “I like skating, skating will help make us better,” Michkov said. But then he joked, to which it means he’s comfortable, not only in the States, but the team is making him comfortable, “I made it to the net on the penalty shot today, next time I will score (Michkov said laughing).”
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 rookie game last week, 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, “We are training hard for the fans,” he said via translator Slava Kuznetsov yesterday.
I mean he gets it, he gets the City of Philadelphia. The city is built off of hard-work, and Flyers fans appreciate those that give their all. It’s unbelievable with only two months being in this country, and in the City of Philadelphia–he gets the city already.
Everything is going as planned with Michkov now in the states, “All the players have been nice, and it’s nice getting on the ice with them,” Michkov says. For Flyers fans and media alike, that’s music to the ears.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
Cool Matvei Michkov merchandise
Michkov is playing today
Matvei Michkov will play today, along with his linemates Morgan Frost and Owen Tippett in Washington. Here is the roster below:
