Michkov, 18 (12/9/04), collected 20 points (9g, 11a) in 27 games with Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) after being loaned to the club by Ska St. Petersburg. The 5-foot-10, 172-pound native of Perm, Russia finished fourth on the team in scoring, despite playing at least 28 games fewer than the players in the Top Three. The left-shot right wing won a junior league championship in 2021-22 after tallying 30 goals and 21 assists for 51 points in 28 games. His 30 goals were tied for the 10th most in the league. He was named Best Forward and Most Valuable Player representing Russia at the 2021 Under-18 World Championship where he led all skaters in goals and points (12g, 4a - 16 pts) in seven games while earning a silver medal.
"Matvei's been a world class player since he came on the scene a number of years ago. We didn't get the live viewings, but we spent a lot of time watching over the last few years. We are just really excited to get this type of talent. It does not happen very often," said Brent Flahr, Vice President and Assistant General Manager. "We got to meet with him in Voorhees last Friday and got a comfort level with his personality. He's very driven. He wants to be the best. We are excited for him to be a Flyer. Meeting him here again with the entire staff, everybody got a comfort level. We are just really fired up to get him."
"I'm glad to be a Flyer. I have no words," said Michkov. "This is my dream, and my dream is to win the Stanley Cup."
With the second pick for the Flyers tonight and the 22nd overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Flyers select Oliver Bonk from London Knights.
Bonk, 18 (1/9/05), tallied 10 goals and 30 assists for 40 points in 67 games with the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The 6-foot-2, 180-pound native of Ottawa, Ontario ranked fifth on the team in assists and eighth in points. The right-shot defenseman also collected 11 assists in 21 playoff games with London. He ranked fourth in playoff points amongst defenseman in the OHL. He also appeared in five games for Canada in the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. His dad played in the NHL with Ottawa, Montreal, and Nashville.
"Oliver's a defenseman that we are very high on. He is a coveted right-shot defenseman. Very cerebral. Excellent puck mover. Solid defender. Just steadily improved throughout the season. He's a good-sized kid, but he is just growing into his body. We feel he is just scratching the surface at this point," said Flahr. "He's very aware of what he is, what he is good at and what he needs to work at. Obviously, we are just excited to get him."
"It feels great. A dream come true. I don't even remember walking down the stairs. Just a dream come true," said Bonk.
