Matvei Michkov, 19, was the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft for the Philadelphia Flyers. Daniel Brière selected a potential generational talent as his first-ever NHL Entry Draft selection.
That is the news on Michkov, dating back to the last time Russia appeared in the U18 IIHF World Juniors. He led all skaters with 16 points (12G, 4A), including Conor Bedard. Bedard and Michkov were considered 1A and 1B for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Michkov was named the U18 IIHF World Juniors MVP en route to a silver medal.
In 2021-2022, Michkov completed his MHL run, splitting time between SKA Varyagi St. Petersburg and SKA 1946 St. Petersburg. He only appeared in 28 games, totaling 51 points (30G, 21A). However, to complete his MHL run, Michkov scored at a point-per-game pace in the MHL Playoffs (17GP; 17P: 13G, 4A). In six games, SKA 1946 St. Petersburg won the 2022 Kharlamov Cup. Michkov scored the goal that secured the Kharlamov Cup for SKA 1946 St. Petersburg.
But, even with those accomplishments, Michkov did not see much ice time in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg in 2022-2023. Loaned to HK Sochi, Michkov appeared in 27 games, tallying 20 points (9G, 11A) after proving he was levels above the VHL. Michkov overcame SKA St. Petersburg and the attempt to curb his development before the 2023 NHL Entry Draft.
Brière was undeterred, and it became apparent that Michkov wanted to join the Flyers.
“We had the chance to meet with him [Michkov] a couple [of] times, in a smaller group the first time, and we were blown away by his personality and how much he seemed to love having the chance to be a Flyer. We were trying to explain that to the rest of our staff, the rest of the scouts, and they didn’t really believe us. So, we brought him in for a second time, and again, he blew everybody in the room away by how smiley he was, how he kept saying he wanted to be a Flyer, so that made us feel really good about the prospect of drafting him.” – Daniel Brière; 6/29/2023
Bedard was the undisputed first-overall pick of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. After him, Michkov should have been the next player off the draft board. However, many NHL teams were standing off Russian prospects due to no memorandum of understanding with the KHL. The Montréal Canadiens selected David Reinbacher, and Brière made sure Michkov was the next forward off the draft board before the Washington Capitals had a chance.
Last season, Michkov returned, on loan, to HK Sochi. He contributed to HK Sochi defeating SKA St. Petersburg, which did not happen the season prior. HK Sochi had two wins over SKA St. Petersburg last season, and in 47 games, Michkov accumulated 41 points (19G, 22A).
Brière remained steadfast in his communication. The Flyers prepared to wait until 2026-2027, the original timeframe for the arrival of ‘The Mad Russian,’ as John Tortorella coined. However, communications between Philadelphia and Alexander Medvedev, the Chairman of SKA St. Petersburg, were fantastic. Not without stipulations, Michkov would schedule his arrival to Broad Street two years earlier than expected.
On July 1st, 2024, Michkov signed a 3yr/$2.85mil entry-level contract. He could be the most highly anticipated draft pick by the Flyers since Eric Lindros.
“I’m extremely excited and extremely happy to be with the Philadelphia Flyers. It was my dream. This is the team I wanted to be drafted by.” – Matvei Michkov via translator; 6/29/2023
Today, Michkov officially arrives in Philadelphia.
