Matvei Michkov, a highly anticipated prospect, will join the ranks of Flyers history as the 10th player to don the number 39 when he makes his NHL debut. Previously, the talented young winger has proudly worn this number in both international and club team hockey, and now he will continue to showcase it while playing for Philadelphia.

There are 39 essential facts to acquaint yourself with regarding Michkov.

When Matvei was just three years old, his parents gifted him his very first pair of skates. Even at such a young age, he had already developed a fascination for the local team, Molot Perm, in his hometown of Perm, Russia.

Michkov, a native of Perm, Russia, has been a remarkable talent in the world of hockey for several years. He began his hockey journey playing for Molot Perm during his youth years. At the age of 14, he made his debut for Lokomotiv Yaroslav’s under-16 team, showcasing his exceptional skills and potential.

During the 2018 District Cup, Michkov took on the role of captain for the Central District Under-15 team. His exceptional performance included an impressive total of 30 points, consisting of 20 goals and 10 assists, achieved in just eight games.

In the following season, he assumed the role of captain for the Lokomotiv under-16 team and impressively accumulated 109 points, consisting of 70 goals and 39 assists, within a mere 26 games. Competing in the U16 level of the District Cup, he showcased his skills with 35 points, including 23 goals and 12 assists, in just eight games. Additionally, as an alternate captain for the Russian national team at the under-16 level, Michkov contributed 28 points, comprising 15 goals and 13 assists.

On December 12, 2020, Michkov was granted a five-year professional contract extension by SKA St. Petersburg, a renowned team in the KHL.

Michkov showcased his skills as he represented Team Russia at the 2020-21 IIHF Under-18 Championship held in Frisco and Plano, Texas. Despite not yet being eligible for the NHL Entry Draft, Michkov impressively scored 12 goals and provided 4 assists, accumulating a total of 16 points in just seven games. Remarkably, Russia secured the silver medal in the tournament.

At the age of 17, Michkov showcased his skills while playing for SKA’s premier developmental team in the MHL (Russian junior league) during the 2020-21 season. Despite competing against some of the most talented domestic junior players, including those aged 19 and even some who turned 20 during the season, Michkov managed to record an impressive tally of 35 goals and 50 points.

The 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup took place from August 2nd to 7th in Breclav, Czechia and Piestany, Slovakia. Michkov emerged as the top scorer of the tournament with an impressive 13 points, consisting of 8 goals and 5 assists in five games. Following him closely was Slovakian center Dalibor Dvorsky, who secured second place with 11 points. In the championship game, Russia triumphed over Slovakia with a final score of 7-2, claiming victory in the tournament.

Michkov, at the age of 16, had his KHL debut on September 2, 2021. He scored his first goal in his third professional game. Three months later, he celebrated his 18th birthday.

During the 2021-22 season, Michkov made a total of 13 appearances in KHL games, contributing 2 goals and 3 assists.

By the 2021-22 season, Michkov’s skills had surpassed the level of competition in the MHL, making it no longer a suitable challenge for him. However, he chose to spend most of the season playing in the junior league in order to have more playing time on the ice. During this season, he had an impressive performance, scoring 30 goals and earning 51 points in just 28 games while playing for both the SKA-Varyagi St. Petersburg and SKA-1946 St. Petersburg teams, both affiliated with SKA. In the MHL playoffs, Michkov continued to shine, scoring 13 goals and accumulating 17 points in 17 playoff games while playing for the SKA-1946 St. Petersburg team.

The Covid-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2021-22 World Junior Championships (IIHF Under-20 Worlds) midway through the tournament. During the two games that were played, Michkov scored a total of three goals.

Michov had already gained a significant reputation in the NHL Draft scouting community as an outstanding player by the time he turned 18 on December 9, 2022. Throughout the 2022-23 season, Michov showcased his skills and versatility by playing for four different teams across three levels of hockey: the MHL, VHL (Russian pro minor league), and KHL. While in the KHL, he appeared in three games for SKA on the fourth line, and also spent 27 games on loan to HC Sochi, where he recorded impressive statistics of 9 goals, 11 assists, and 20 points.

In April 2023, Andrey, the father of Matvei who is now 51 years old, sadly passed away near Sochi. During the 2023 NHL Draft, Matvei expressed his feelings towards his late father, saying, “He would have been extremely proud and joyful for me, considering all the effort we both invested in my journey. I am proud of my current position, and it is largely thanks to my father’s dedication from my early years. He taught me various techniques for disguising my shot, which greatly contributed to my success in scoring goals.”

Just before the 2023 NHL Draft in Nashville, Michkov paid a visit to the Flyers at their training facility in Voorhees. Both parties expressed their mutual interest in Michkov potentially joining Philadelphia if he happened to be available when the Flyers made their first Draft pick.

On June 28, 2023, the Flyers made their pick in the 2023 Entry Draft and selected Michkov as the seventh overall player. While there were other players the team considered, Michkov was second only to Connor Bedard (chosen as the first overall pick by the Chicago Blackhawks) in Philadelphia’s rankings.

If it weren’t for the concerns of numerous NHL teams regarding Michkov’s availability in North America, he wouldn’t have been selected as the 7th overall pick in the 2023 Draft. Following the Draft, Briere expressed, “We are aware that he has a (KHL) contract for three additional seasons. However, based on our observation and interaction with him, we couldn’t ignore his exceptional talent. If we need to be patient, we are willing to do so.”

During the 2023 preseason, SKA decided to try out Michkov, a winger by nature, as a center position. However, before the beginning of the 2023-24 regular season, the 5-foot-10, 176-pound forward went back to his original position on the right wing.

Michkov faced difficulties in securing playing chances for SKA at the beginning of the 2023-24 season. He was only able to participate in one of SKA’s initial eight regular season games, where he received less than eight minutes on the ice.

Michkov has been loaned to Sochi, a fellow KHL team, for the rest of the campaign, marking the second consecutive season for this arrangement by SKA. Such loans are permitted in the KHL. Sochi, on the other hand, has failed to qualify for the playoffs in the last five seasons, and in six of the last eight seasons, despite SKA being recognized as a perennial contender.

During the 2023-24 season, Michkov was sidelined for several weeks due to pneumonia.

Despite being ill, Michkov came close to breaking the KHL’s all-time scoring record for a rookie player. Playing for Sochi in the 2023-24 season, he scored an impressive 28 goals and earned 41 points in 47 games. However, he fell just one point short of Kirill Kaprisov’s rookie record of 42 points, which was achieved during the 2016-17 season in 49 games for the Minnesota Wild.

Michkov’s international junior hockey resume was remarkable until the cancellation of the initial 2021-22 WJC tournament. Nevertheless, he has been unable to compete against the world’s top competition due to the IIHF’s ban on Russia’s participation in major international tournaments following the Ukraine invasion.

In his early career, Michkov has seldom taken breaks during the offseasons, choosing to spend most of his time on the ice. Expressing his passion for hockey, he shared with the KHL’s official website his love for the sport and the pleasure he derives from both games and practices.

Over the past few years, Michkov has come to the realization that he must increase his weight and build muscle. Consequently, he has embarked on a rigorous gym routine. Before this, he dedicated almost all of his free time to being on the ice.

26. Michkov maintains a strong bond with his family, both prior to and following the tragic loss of Andrey. His mother, Maria, and his brother, Prohor, are cherished members of his close-knit unit. When Matvei decided to pursue his hockey aspirations by leaving Perm, his family wholeheartedly supported his decision and joined him on this journey.

Michkov, a highly emotional player, proudly embraces his exuberant goal celebrations, whether at home or away games. He firmly believes that when a goal is scored and only his team celebrates, the silence from the stands disappoints him. In 2021, Michkov emphasized his desire to provide entertainment for the fans who invest in tickets, stating, “We play for them, and I want to deliver a captivating performance.”

Michkov may not be known for his speed in a straight line or blowing past defenders, but he possesses exceptional skills on his edges. His ability to find open space and unleash powerful shots is truly elite.

Michkov’s offensive game is characterized by two distinct traits. Firstly, he possesses exceptional puckhandling skills, showcasing his wizardry on the ice. Additionally, he excels in concealing his shot release, making it difficult for opponents to anticipate. Moreover, Michkov’s versatility allows him to score goals from various angles, proving his proficiency in finding the back of the net. Even if his initial attempt is thwarted, he exhibits unwavering determination in subsequent plays, persistently striving for success.

Although Michkov is primarily recognized for his remarkable ability to score goals, his skills as a passer and his exceptional ice vision should not be overlooked. Linemates playing alongside him must be prepared to receive a pass with their sticks on the ice. Michkov’s proficiency in executing saucer passes is particularly impressive, as he skillfully utilizes the back of the net as a shield to quickly set up a pass or evades defenders before finding an open teammate to pass to.

Michkov has developed a strong affinity for the “Michigan” shot, a lacrosse-style attempt, as he skillfully maneuvers around the net. While he has successfully scored multiple goals using this technique, he has noticed that the element of surprise has diminished over time. Consequently, Michkov has adapted his approach to the Michigan shot, distinguishing himself from other players. Strategically, he now employs it in a manner similar to shooting at the goaltender’s feet or pads, with the primary focus being to create a rebound or chaos in close proximity to the net.

In the summer of 2024, Michkov sought and received permission from SKA to be released from the last two seasons of his KHL contract, on the condition that SKA would still maintain his exclusive KHL rights. Nevertheless, he was granted authorization to join the NHL and play in North America beginning from the 2024-25 season.

On July 1, 2024, Michkov officially joined the Flyers by signing an entry-level contract. The contract is set to be two-way, with a cap hit of $950,000, not including any potential performance bonuses that may add to his earnings as calculated by CapFriendly. This agreement will be in effect until the end of the 2026-27 season. After its completion, Michkov will have the option to become a restricted free agent on July 1, 2027, although he will not be eligible for arbitration.

Upon signing with the Flyers, Michkov expressed his lifelong dream of playing in the NHL. He extended gratitude to the Flyers management for their trust and pledged to exceed their expectations. Eager to join his teammates and commence preparations for the upcoming season, Michkov eagerly greeted the fans. Sharing the same aspiration of winning the Stanley Cup, he assured his commitment to assisting the team in achieving their collective dream.

Erik Johnson, a veteran defenseman for the Flyers, revealed that Michkov, their new teammate, is already using a translation app to communicate with him and others. Michkov writes messages in Russian, which are then translated into English for his teammates to understand, and vice versa. Additionally, Michkov actively follows several Flyers players on social media.

Michkov has a basic understanding of English, but he lacks confidence in speaking beyond a few words and phrases. He is determined to become fluent in the language. Initially, Egor Zamula, his teammate, and Slava Kouznetsov, the Flyers skating coach, will be there to help with translations during practices and interviews.

Johnson and his fellow North American teammates have pledged to go above and beyond to ensure Michkov feels embraced and part of the team upon his arrival for training camp.

Matvei Michkov made his way to the United States on July 23rd via JFK International Airport. It is anticipated that the athlete will engage with the press on July 24th.

Michkov is the latest player for the Flyers to wear No. 39, with defenseman Nate Prosser being the previous player in the 2020-21 season. Other players who have worn this number for the Flyers include defenseman Mark Alt, defenseman Dave Fenyves, forward Ross Fitzpatrick, defenseman Jeff Lank, defenseman Oliver Lauridsen, goalie Robbie Moore, center Marty Murray, and center Mike Murray.