VOORHEES, N.J. – Matvei Michkov’s father, Andrey, once had hopes that his son would one day take his Russian-bred hockey skills to the NHL.
Andrey unfortunately passed away a few months before his son was drafted by the Flyers last year. But having watched his son develop into one of Russia’s best young players, he surely knew such a talent would eventually play in the world’s best hockey league.
The Flyers chose Matvei with their first pick (seventh overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft and now Andrey’s wish is about to become reality.
His son has become the most acclaimed Flyers prospect since the days of Eric Lindros, and before that, Bobby Clarke.
At Wednesday’s press conference at the Flyers Training Center, the 19-year-old Matvei confirmed he’s exactly where he always wanted to be.
“I had a dream to play in the NHL,” Michkov said through team interpreter Slava Kuznetsov. “This club made it possible.”
The Flyers selected him knowing his future availability was uncertain because he was playing on a three-year contract with the Kontinental Hockey League in Europe.
However, after one year in the KHL, Michkov and his business people were able to escape the final two years of the KHL obligation.
He recently signed a three-year entry-level contract, flew over to the United States on Tuesday and now is ready to embark on his journey among the best hockey players in the world.
The surviving Michkov family members are certain Matvei will strive to do his best, knowing he would have made Andrey proud.
“I think my father would be real proud,” Matvei said. “I want to help the Flyers win all (Stanley) Cups possible. A lot of guys play in the NHL but not a lot of them win.”
General manager Daniel Briere started to get his hopes up after the NHL season ended.
“We started hearing rumbling after the season that there was a possibility of it happening,” Briere said. “We talked to his representatives, his agent, to help us understand what was going on.
“They did most of the work. It was definitely exciting when there was a strong possibility that it could happen. It was definitely a long wait.”
Briere was beaming as he spoke. He didn’t think he would be part of such a day as this until the summer of 2026.
“When we drafted him, we never thought this would happen,” Briere said. “Part of the reason why he fell to us – because we knew he would have gone a lot earlier – we felt we were in a position to be able to wait the three years he was able to come.
“To have this opportunity is amazing; to get him early at 19 years old, it’s a great opportunity for him to learn and for us to have him early.”
Both Clarke and Lindros changed the course of Flyers history. Michkov was asked if he believes he can have that kind of impact on the fortunes of a team which has missed the playoffs four straight years but appears to be on the edge of contention as it undergoes a rebuild.
“I’m here to help the team win,” Michkov was pretty much all he had to say on that subject.
Briere was quick to point out there will be no unreasonably high expectations.
“We don’t see him as a savior,” the GM said. “That’s certainly not what we’re putting on his shoulders. He’s 19, he’s coming in to learn, expand his game. We hope the sky’s the limit for him. But we’re building a team and have as many pieces to work together and he becomes one of them.”
Michkov played the majority of last season for the KHL’s Sochi club, recording 19 goals/41 points in 47 games.
Even though he was not yet officially property of the Flyers, the team did stay in communication with their prospect and offered to help with his progress as a player.
“The Flyers contacted me a lot,” he said. “On the phone, text message, etc. They were watching me play; telling me what I can do differently.”
The excitement in the Flyers’ fan base can be seen and heard on social media, television, the Internet and just about every form of modern communication.
Michkov is trying to be selective with that.
“It’s unreal how the fans are reacting, how welcome I feel coming in,” he said. “I want to show really good hockey for the fans and play the best game I can play.”
Those fans should get a good chuckle over how things will go when it comes to communication between Michkov and Flyers coach John Tortorella, who can be demanding at times.
“I haven’t met him yet,” Michkov said. “But I do want to meet with the coach.”
