Philly Leader

When he makes his NHL debut, highly touted prospect Matvei Michkov will become the 10th player in Flyers history to wear uniform number 39. The young winger has sported the number both internationally and in club team hockey. He'll now wear it for Philadelphia.

Here are 39 things to know about Michkov.

1. Michkov received his first pair of skates from his parents when he was three years old. He'd already taken an interest in local team Molot Perm in his hometown of Perm, Russia.

2. Michkov has been a hockey prodigy for years. The Perm, Russia native played his youth hockey for Molot Perm. He later debuted for Lokomotiv Yaroslav's under-16 team at age 14.

3. At the 2018 District Cup, Michkov captained the Central District Under-15 squad. He posted a staggering 30 points (20 goals, 10 assists) in eight games.

4. The next season, he captained the Lokomotiv under-16 team and racked up 109 points—70 goals, 39 assists—in just 26 games. In the U16 level of the District Cup, he had 35 points (23g, 12a) in eight games. Internationally at the under-16 level, Michkov posted 28 points (15g, 13a) as an alternate captain for the Russian national team.

5. SKA St. Petersburg—one of the highest-profile teams in the KHL—signed Michkov to a five-year professional contract extension on December 12, 2020.

6. Michkov played for Team Russia at the 2020-21 IIHF Under-18 Championship in Frisco and Plano, Texas, USA). Although still two seasons shy of qualifying for the NHL Entry Draft, Michkov compiled 16 points (12g, 4a) in seven games; Russia won silver.

7. Playing for SKA's top developmental team at age seventeen in the MHL (Russian junior league), Michkov had thirty-five goals and fifty points despite playing against top domestic junior players—including nineteen-year-olds and sometimes even twenty-year-olds during that season.

8. At the Hlinka Gretzky Cup tournament held from August second to seventh in Breclav, Czechia and Piestany Slovakia), Michkov posted thirteen points (eight goals and five assists) across five games to lead all players; Slovakian center Dalibor Dvorsky was second with eleven points; Russia won defeating Slovakia seven-two championship game).

9.. A sixteen-year-old made debut on September second scored third career goal celebrated eighteenth birthday three months later).

10.. appeared thirteen KHL games during two goals three assists)

11.. By already too advanced suitable challenge spent most receiving extensive ice time compiled thirty twenty-eight SKA-affiliated SKA-Varyagi St Petersburg squads playoffs SKA1946 thirteen seventeen playoff

12 World Junior Championships initially canceled mid-tournament due COVID19 pandemic tallied three

13 turned eighteen Dec ninth played eligible season he'd highly touted name scouting radar several four different teams VHL pro minor league KHL fourth line twenty-seven loan HC Sochi

14 Matvei’s fifty-one-year-old father Andrey passed away near April said dad “He’d very proud happy work put together Proud where I am right now From young age my dad lot work taught different ways disguising shot credit goal scoring goes late father”

15 Shortly before attending Bridgestone Arena Nashville visited training facility Voorhees Both sides privately clear mutual interest eventually coming available first selection Draft

16 On June twenty-eighth selected seventh overall There were other liked trailed only Connor Bedard selected first Chicago Blackhawks rankings)

17 If not concerns many over would fallen After Briere said “We know got KHL contract three more seasons But just felt after watching meeting talent we can’t pass up If wait we’ll wait”

18 experimented natural center preseason five-foot-ten one hundred seventy-six pounds forward returned right wing regular

19 hard opportunities outset dressed only first eight less than minutes ice time

20 For straight loaned fellow rest campaign allowable perennial contender missed playoffs each last six last eight

21 pneumonia middle missed several weeks action

22 Despite illness flirted all-time scoring record rookie defined aged out eligibility forty-seven team-high fell one point short future Minnesota Wild star Kirill Kaprisov set by

23 Due IIHF ban unable play against world’s top competition since cancellation initial However international junior resume stellar

24 rarely taken time off offseasons prefers nearly year-round “I love enjoy practices” told official website

25 Over couple realizing needed add weight muscle begun intensive gym regimen Previously spent nearly all solely

26 close family both since Andrey’s passing mother’s name Maria also brother named Prohor When left pursue ambitions came along him

27 emotional player does apologize enthusiastic celebrations whether home road “When score goal only your celebrates stands silent like We play fans buy tickets want see show” official site

28 especially fast straight line often blow past defenders gain separation rush elite edges excels finding room fire shot

29 Two defining traits offensive puckhandling wizard very good disguising release variety angles stopped initial attempt tenacious second-effort third-effort plays)

30 While best known prowess above-average passer excellent vision Linemates must have stick ready receive quite good saucer passes using back shield quick setup pass fending defender open teammate)

31 long fond Michigan lacrosse-style swoops around net scored several more recently employ differently element surprise largely gone Tactically uses similarly shoot goaltender feet pads looking rebound scramble near net)

32 obtained permission summer obtain conditional release final two retained exclusive However granted come North America starting

33 signed entry-level July one two-way carry nine hundred fifty thousand cap hit potential performance bonuses figured earnings per CapFriendly run through Upon conclusion restricted free agent arbitration-ineligible July

34 statement issued day signing said “Being dream me childhood I would like say huge thank management trust everything possible meet expectations can’t wait join teammates start preparing new together especially greet fans same win Stanley promise help make possible”

35 According veteran defenseman Erik Johnson already communicates translation app writes Russian teammate see translated English version vice versa follows numerous social media)

36 already understands basic comfortable speaking language utter more words phrases pledged learn speak fluently Initially teammate Egor Zamula skating coach Slava Kouznetsov assist translations needed interview scrums)

37 Johnson North American said everything possible feel welcomed included arrives training camp

38 arrived United States July twenty-third JFK International Airport expected meet media twenty-fourth

39 Prior recent Flyers Nate Prosser Other Mark Alt Dave Fenyves Ross Fitzpatrick Jeff Lank Oliver Lauridsen Robbie Moore Marty Murray Mike Murray.