VOORHEES, N.J. – Only those who follow the Flyers closely could tell you the last time one of their favorite players won NHL “Rookie of the Month” honors.
Before Friday, the last Philly freshman to achieve the honor was James van Riemsdyk way back in 2009.
The drought finally ended on the first day of November when rookie Matvei Michkov took home the honor.
In 11 games, the 19-year-old Russian posted four goals/nine points and played a fairly solid all-around game.
Playing mostly on a line with Sean Couturier and Travis Konecny, Michkov competed nearly 43 percent of his ice time in the opponent’s end of the rink.
After Friday’s practice at the Flyers Training Center, Michkov admitted that while the award is nice, there are still some things to improve upon.
“Some fragments are working well, some not,” he said through an interpreter. “Everything is a work in progress. I’m getting ready for the next game (against Boston on Saturday).”
The Flyers’ 2023 first-round draft pick (seventh overall) has not been intimidated playing against bigger, more experienced foes.
“I’m just trying to enjoy the game on a daily basis,” he said. “I want to thank my linemates because without them, it (the award) would not happen.”
Konecny is perhaps the most offensively skilled player on the Flyers and playing on the same line with him has been a big benefit for Michkov.
“Travis is a great player,” Michkov said. “Some things are working well, some things are not. We need a little more time to bond together and get the really good chemistry.”
Michkov edged out Dallas center Logan Stankoven, Montreal defenseman Lane Hutson, Carolina right wing Jackson Blake, New York Islanders right wing Maxim Tsyplakov and Colorado goaltender Justus Annunen for the award.
For the month of October, Michkov led all rookies in goals (four), points (tie, nine), power-play goals (three), power-play assists (tie, three), power-play points (tie, six) and shooting percentage (20 percent).
Morgan Frost centered a line with Michkov on it for several preseason games.
“I think he strives for greatness,” Frost said. “I think he wants to be a really good player. He kind of takes the bull by the horns. He doesn’t let the game come to him. He wants to make stuff happen. It’s impressive at a young age.”
The language barrier hasn’t stopped Michkov from connecting with his teammates, both on and off the ice. Plus he gets help from Russian teammates defenseman Egor Zamula and goaltender Ivan Fedotov.
“It’s got to be a bit of a shock for him,” Frost said. “It’s a different language, a different way of life. You have to factor that in on the side, too. It seems like it’s no big deal for all of us but none of us know what he’s experiencing.”
What technical aspect of Michkov’s game has caught Frost’s eye?
“I think he’s very good at utilizing where the defender’s stick is,” Frost said. “He knows when to go through the triangle of the body and the stick. I think he finds those lanes very well, sometimes without even looking. That might not sound like a big deal but with all the strong sticks in this league, it’s impressive the players he makes.”
Garnet Hathaway can analyze another player’s game with the best of them. The right wing has liked what he’s seen so far in Michkov’s game.
“I think the distance he’s traveled and the environment he’s been switched over from, his accomplishments are probably understated,” he said. “All the changes he’s gone through.”
Michkov scored his first two NHL career goals in a game against Edmonton on Oct. 15. That made him the first Flyer to achieve that first-game/two-goal accomplishment since Vinny Prospal on March 8, 1997.
“Me, personally, I probably take it for granted, growing up here in the U.S.,” Hathaway said. “I think it (the award) is a testament to how hard he works and how badly he wants to succeed.”
Associate head coach Brad Shaw said the award is well-deserved.
“He came out of the blocks flying,” Shaw said. “You can see he loves to have the puck on his stick. This is an unforgiving league. Trying to learn a language, trying to learn to play on this size ice-surface (smaller than the Kontinental Hockey League), I think we anticipated a few bumps along the road.
“But for him to come out of the gates that quickly and show what he can do, he’s got a knack for east-west, finding lanes. I don’t think I’ve seen a forward have that ability. He’s got a lot to learn as a pro hockey player but I think it’s fantastic that he’s come in and made the impact that he’s had already.”
