VOORHEES, N.J. – It’s like making the jump from junior high school to high school.
Suddenly, everything and everyone looks bigger. Maybe a little more imposing.
There’s a big difference between pro hockey rookie camp and then the real thing, too.
Even so, Russian prospect Matvei Michkov doesn’t look out of place after making the jump a few days ago.
He’s got the speed, the moves and the savvy which belie his 18 years of age.
The young man certainly didn’t look out of place skating on a line with veteran center Morgan Frost and left wing Owen Tippett during a Saturday morning training camp drills session at the Flyers Training Center.
“There are no guys who don’t belong here,” Michkov noted through a translator. “It’s a pleasure to be on the ice with the guys. The guys are at the top level.”
Michkov, taken seventh overall in the 2023 NHL Draft, scored a goal right off the bat in a Rookie Series game against the New York Ranger kids the previous weekend.
But now this training camp/NHL exhibition slate is more like the real thing. And Michkov looks comfortable as he storms up and down his wing against proven NHL talent.
“Every day is better and better,” he said. “Every day is a work in progress. Everybody is under the pressure to get themselves out of the training into the games.”
While coach John Tortorella’s skating drills have been demanding, you won’t hear any complaints from the newcomer.
“I like skating,” he admitted. “It’s always been my thing. The skating now makes more sense than skate later. It should make us better throughout the camp. Hard on training, easy on the game.”
Tortorella wouldn’t commit to Michkov playing in the Flyers’ preseason opener on Sunday afternoon in Washington. But he did say there was a good chance he will play in either that one against the Capitals or on Monday in Montreal against the Canadiens.
Michkov had a chance to score on a penalty shot in Saturday afternoon’s action at the local rink.
“Made it to the net today on a penalty shot, that’s already good,” he cracked. “Next time I’m going to score.”
Someone asked if Michkov noticed all the No. 39 jerseys worn by fans at the near soldout FTC.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling to see the fans already showing up,” he said. “It actually helps with the hard training. We’re doing it for the fans and it helps overall.
“I’ve never seen that many jerseys with my name on it.”
The recent rookie camp was a valuable experience for all the teenagers who are going through the varsity camp for the first time.
Michkov said he received a helping hand from defenseman Oliver Bonk, who was drafted in 2023 and has had more experience with the American game.
“He pretty much held my hand in the rookie camp,” Michkov said. “A big help getting from Point A to Point B. I appreciated that.
“Otherwise, all the players are very friendly.”
Tippett gives the impression he can’t wait to see if this line can develop some chemistry.
“Yeah, obviously ‘Frosty’ and I have good chemistry,” Tippett said. “We’ve been playing together for a while now. Obviously with Michkov there it’s going to be a lot of fun. You can tell how much skill he has and how he thinks the game. It’s just been a small sample size but the longer we skate together, the better it will get.”
