Photo Credit: Our very own Michael Reaves
Matvei Michkov has been a force on the ice for the orange and black. Each and every time he’s on the ice he tries to make a play, and that’s why most can live with some mistakes. He’s trying his best, and Michkov is doing a very good job at creating offense.
So much so, Michkov leads all rookies in points with 15 (6g,9a), and all rookies and goals with six. He is trying to become the first Flyer in history to win the Calder trophy (Rookie of the year).
There are some things that Michkov is still struggling with, giving his short time in North America. Michkov is still having a lot of trouble with the English language, and that comes as no surprise. It is quite complicating, “The language barrier is heaviest. It’s really hard to develop English,” Michkov said yesterday following practice.
The language barrier is heaviest. It’s really hard to develop English.” – Matvei Michkov
Everything won’t come easy and he says he does not have an English-speaking tutor, rather he’s teaching himself and learning from his teammates inside the locker room, “Didn’t really work with tutor, all by himself,”said Michkov via translator. “Picking up day by day. In the locker room teammates help.”
One thing that has remained constant since he came to North America are his teammates sticking up for him. Each game it appears a different person is fighting for him, following a big hit on Michkov, “Everybody plays against him heavier than any other players on the ice,” Michkov said via translator. “Meaning of a teammate, the teammate has to step in and be there for the teammate. We want team, and we always have to protect our teammates.”
It won’t be easy for Michkov with learning the English language. However, he will pick it up, and continue to be that superstar he’s turning into.
Egor Zamula and Cam York
The good news is both Cam York and Egor Zamula were on the ice yesterday for practice. York was wearing a regular Jersey, which indicates he’s close to return, while Zamula went through an entire practice. If some can remember Zamula left Monday’s game with an upper body injury in the third period and did not return.
“Feeling better this morning. Be ready to go tomorrow,” Zamula said following practice yesterday. He would not elaborate on his injury, only to say it was upper body. The Flyers are beaten and battered on the blue line as of late, with Jamie Drysdale, Cam York, and Emil Andrae all on the shelf due to injuries.
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