Matvei Michkov
Born 2004 · Age 21
Russian professional ice hockey forward. Made KHL debut with SKA Saint Petersburg in 2021; drafted 7th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2023; joined Flyers and made NHL debut in 2024.
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Life & Career Timeline
Received first pair of skates
Received his first pair of skates at age three and began skating/playing hockey in Perm.
Moved to Yaroslavl to join Lokomotiv youth program
Michkov, his parents and brother relocated to Yaroslavl so he could join the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl youth program.
Captain at 2018 District Cup (U15) — 30 points in 8 games
At the 2018 District Cup Michkov captained the Central District Under-15 team, scoring 30 points (20 goals, 10 assists) in 8 games.
Explosive U-16 season — 109 points in 26 games
Playing for Lokomotiv's under-16 team, Michkov recorded 109 points (70 goals, 39 assists) in 26 games at the U16 level.
2020–21 season: MHL — 56 points in 56 games
Split between SKA-1946 and SKA Varyagi in the MHL, Michkov recorded 56 points in 56 games; led the league with 38 goals and set the MHL record for points by a 16‑year‑old.
Transferred to SKA Saint Petersburg youth system
Michkov officially moved from Lokomotiv Yaroslavl's youth program to SKA Saint Petersburg's development system.
SKA pays transfer fee (reported) to sign Michkov from Lokomotiv
Sports.ru reported SKA would pay 400,000 rubles to acquire 15‑year‑old Michkov after he terminated his Lokomotiv contract.
Signed five-year contract with SKA Saint Petersburg
SKA announced a new five-year professional contract with Michkov that would nominally keep him in Russia through the 2025–26 season.
2021–22 season: split KHL/MHL — strong junior numbers
During 2021–22 season Michkov split time between SKA's senior and junior teams: 5 points in 13 KHL games and 51 points in 28 MHL games (across SKA-1946 and SKA Varyagi).
First KHL goal in third career game
Scored his first KHL goal in his third KHL game (early September 2021).
Missed ~2 months due to injury (hit by Alexei Emelin)
Suffered an injury caused by Alexei Emelin and missed around two months of KHL action during his early professional years.
IIHF U18 World Championship — MVP & scoring leader
At the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championship Michkov scored 12 goals and 16 points, won the scoring race (12 goals – most by a Russian in tournament history), was named MVP, best forward and made the media all‑star team; Russia earned silver.
Hlinka Gretzky Cup — tournament scoring leader, Gold (2021)
Michkov led the 2021 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with 13 points (8g, 5a) in five games as Russia won gold.
KHL debut with SKA Saint Petersburg
Made his Kontinental Hockey League debut for SKA Saint Petersburg on 2 September 2021.
World Junior Championship — early games before tournament cancellation
Appeared and tallied three goals in two games during the initial 2021–22 World Junior Championship before the tournament was halted/cancelled and later rescheduled.
Joined SKA‑Neva (VHL) for 2022–23 season
Moved to SKA's VHL (second-tier pro league) affiliate SKA‑Neva to continue development for the 2022–23 season.
VHL debut: two goals in debut for SKA‑Neva
In his debut match for SKA‑Neva Michkov recorded a two-goal performance (reported 1 October 2022).
Loaned to HC Sochi for remainder of 2022–23
SKA Saint Petersburg loaned Michkov to HC Sochi on 20 December 2022 for the rest of the 2022–23 KHL season.
KHL All‑Star selection and electric start (2023)
Less than four months after being drafted, Michkov scored 14 points in 14 KHL games and was voted into the KHL All‑Star Game (autumn 2023).
2022–23 KHL season: Sochi — .67 PPG, 20 points in 27 games
Though Sochi finished poorly, Michkov posted 20 points in 27 KHL games; his 0.67 points-per-game was the highest in KHL history for a draft‑eligible player.
SKA experimented with Michkov as a center during 2023 preseason
During SKA's 2023 preseason the organization briefly tried Michkov at center before returning him to the wing.
Personal tragedy: father reported missing, then found dead
In April 2023 Michkov's father Andrei was reported missing and was found dead two days later near Sochi; widely reported and impactful on the player.
Pre-draft visit to Flyers facility (mutual interest)
Shortly before the 2023 draft Michkov visited the Philadelphia Flyers training facility; both sides expressed mutual interest in an eventual NHL move if circumstances allowed.
Drafted 7th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers
At the 2023 NHL Entry Draft in Nashville Michkov was selected with the 7th overall pick by the Philadelphia Flyers.
Returned to Sochi on loan for 2023–24 season
After a short return to SKA and limited opportunity (one game), Michkov was loaned back to HC Sochi on 12 September 2023 for the remainder of the season.
Finished 2023–24 KHL season: 19 goals, 41 points in 47 games
While on loan at HC Sochi Michkov led the team with 19 goals and finished second in team scoring with 41 points over 47 regular season KHL games.
Battled pneumonia, missed several weeks (2023–24 season)
Michkov contracted pneumonia mid‑season (2023–24) and missed multiple weeks of play while recovering.
SKA grants conditional release to join NHL early
In summer 2024 SKA permitted Michkov a conditional release from the final two years of his KHL contract so he could attempt to play in the NHL beginning in 2024–25.
Signed three‑year entry‑level contract with Philadelphia Flyers
Michkov signed a three-year, entry-level NHL contract with the Flyers on 1 July 2024; the deal carries a $950,000 cap hit (two‑way/entry‑level structure with potential bonuses).
Arrived in United States (JFK) for Flyers activities
Michkov arrived at JFK Airport on 23 July 2024 to begin integrating with the Flyers organization and media obligations.
Recorded first NHL point (assist) vs Calgary Flames
Michkov recorded his first NHL point — an assist on a Travis Konecny goal — on 12 October 2024 in a 6–3 loss to the Calgary Flames.
First NHL goals: two goals (both on power play) vs Edmonton
Scored his first and second NHL goals on 15 October 2024 in a 4–3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers; both goals were power‑play markers.
Named NHL Rookie of the Month (October 2024)
Awarded the NHL's Rookie of the Month for October 2024 after collecting 4 goals and 5 assists (9 points) in 11 games.
Recorded 3rd overtime goal as a teenager — historic feat
On 30 November 2024 vs the St. Louis Blues Michkov became the fourth teenager in NHL history to record three overtime goals (joining Crosby, Kovalchuk and Nash).
EliteProspects / public profiles list cap hit and NHL rights
Public profiles (EliteProspects, NHL.com) list Michkov as having NHL rights with Philadelphia and show an entry‑level cap hit of $950,000.
Completed NHL rookie season: 26 G, 37 A, 63 points (80 games)
Finished the 2024–25 NHL season with 26 goals (most among rookies), 37 assists and 63 points in 80 games; finished fourth in Calder Trophy voting.
Finished fourth in Calder Memorial Trophy voting (2025)
Placed fourth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy for NHL rookie of the year following the 2024–25 season.
Named NHL Rookie of the Month (February 2025)
Earned Rookie of the Month honors for February 2025 after producing 5 goals and 5 assists (10 points) in 7 games.
Named to 2025 NHL All‑Rookie Team
Michkov was named to the NHL's 2024–25 All‑Rookie Team (announcement 12 June 2025).
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