Philadelphia Flyers fans and media received their first opportunity to witness on-ice action on the first day of the 2024 Flyers Rookie Camp at Flyers Traning Center in Voorhees, New Jersey. Despite a warm sun and cloudless sky in the late morning hours, the frigid dual ice surfaces inside the still-under-renovation training complex welcomed Flyers supporters eager to get their first look at a recently arrived hockey first-round draft pick.
Michkov joins first practice at 2024 Flyers Rookie Camp
Approximately 300 hockey fans showed up for their first opportunity to see the Flyers 2022 first-round selection, Matvei Michkov, with their own eyes and not on a YouTube compilation clip. Some fans arrived wearing burnt Orange sweaters with a giant No. 39 stitched on the back, and almost everyone had a camera phone out to snap an image to show off to their hockey friends around the world. According to NHL.com’s Adam Kimelman, Michkov said post-practice, “It’s an unbelievable feeling, and words can’t even describe it” when discussing fans already sporting his Philly hockey jersey.
At the ice level, it was enjoyable to watch Mickkov chop it up with 2024 first-round pick Jett Luchenko and 2023 first-round selection Oliver Bonk on several occasions throughout practice. While it is widely known that Matvei’s English is a work in progress, he smiled when Bonk gave him the business in front of the net on drills.
On the ice, Michkov’s smooth skating was just as noticeable as his puck-handling skills. The Russian teenager half-heartedly attempted the Michigan-lacrosse style move at one point, causing many heads to turn in the direction of Head Coach John Tortorella, watching from the balcony above the ice rink.
While it was only a practice situation, the upcoming Rookie Series against the New York Rangers will provide the first chance to see Matvei’s abilities in a game-time situation. The Flyers announced on social media that Michkov is participating in at least the first of the two games this weekend against the Rangers. In the post-practice press conference, Michkov said via translator Max Kuznetsov, “It’s actually his first game in a Flyers jersey, and he said he is a little bit nervous, but by the time warm-ups is over, that should be all gone.” Michkov continued, “It’s most important to be confident in yourself and in your teammates, and everything else will be resolved.”
Notable absences on Day #1
Denver Barkey was scratched due to illness on Thursday afternoon. The 19-year-old forward for the London Knights dealt with illness this summer and has missed training camp in the OHL over the last few weeks. It will be worth monitoring if Barkey participates in the Rookie Series games this weekend and/or rejoins the rookie camp during the next six days.
Blueliner Carter Sotheran was also missing from the ice on Day #1. Several years ago, Sotheran was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a condition that causes the heart to beat abnormally fast for periods. It is caused by an extra electrical connection to the heart. Sotheran is still hopeful of appearing in the Rookie Series games this weekend if they can manage the condition.
Goaltending prospect Alexei Kolosov, 22, was not at camp rookie camp today. This was expected, given his absence from the official Flyers Rookie Camp roster earlier this week. It is still unknown if he will be in North America for the Flyers Training Camp next week, but his absence is certainly notable. Kolosov joined Philadelphia last season and finished the season with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.
A good ‘ole hockey game on Night #2 of Rookie Camp
The Philadelphia Flyers rookies return to the ice surface in Voorhees, New Jersey, tomorrow at 10:30 am for a half-hour-long morning skate. Philly will bus up to Allentown, PA, to battle the New York Rangers in the first of two exhibition games at PPL Center. Tomorrow’s contest begins at 7:05 pm, while Saturday’s exhibition drops the puck at 5:05 pm. Both games this weekend will be streamed on the Philadelphia Flyers website.
