Matvei Michkov earned a spot on the 2024-25 NHL All-Rookie Team after making an immediate and significant impact during his first season with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Matvei Michkov named to All-Rookie Team
Over 80 games, Michkov put up 26 goals and 37 assists for a total of 63 points, leading all rookies in goals and even-strength scoring with 46 points. He also tied for the most power-play goals among rookies with eight and ranked third in overall power-play points with 17. Notably, his three goals in overtime matched an NHL record for the most overtime goals by a teenager in one season.
Michkov’s offensive presence helped lift a Flyers team that had struggled to generate offense in the previous season. His ability to create scoring chances both at even strength and on the power play contributed to a noticeable increase in the team’s goals per game. He was regularly trusted with significant ice time, including key minutes on the power play, where he was involved in over 20% of Philadelphia’s power-play goals, helping boost the unit’s overall success.
Selected seventh overall in the 2023 draft, Michkov’s transition from the KHL to the NHL came sooner than expected after contract issues were resolved. He quickly adapted to the faster, more physical North American game, carving out a consistent role in the Flyers’ top six forwards.
He reached several milestones uncommon for Flyers rookies: becoming the first to hit 60 points in a season since Mikael Renberg in 1993-94, and the first under age 21 to score 50 or more points since Simon Gagne in 2000-01. Michkov also recorded three games with three or more points, a rare achievement matched only once before by a Flyers rookie in the past 30 years.
Michkov was recognized as NHL Rookie of the Month twice—once in October and again in February—making him the only rookie to earn multiple monthly honors this season, and the first Flyer in 30 years to do so.
His All-Rookie Team selection marks him as the 11th player in Flyers history to receive the honor. He joins Macklin Celebrini, Cutter Gauthier, Lane Hutson, Denton Mateychuk, and Dustin Wolf on this year’s team, as voted on by the Professional Hockey Writers Association after the regular season.
Michkov’s strong performance and immediate impact on the Flyers’ offense show he’s more than ready to be a cornerstone player moving forward.
Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
