Flyers Players Express Excitement For Matvei Michkov's Arrival
Philadelphia Flyers fans have made their elation clear when it comes to Matvei Michkov's imminent arrival to the organization, but recently, Flyers players have spoken on the team's eagerness to welcome their new player.
Christopher Hanewinckel - USA TODAY Sports - Flyers Players Express Excitement For Matvei Michkov's ArrivalPhiladelphia Flyers fans have made their elation clear when it comes to Matvei Michkov's imminent arrival to the organization, but recently, Flyers players have spoken on the team's eagerness to welcome their new player.
Speaking to NBC Sports Philadelphia, Flyers forward Tyson Foerster said that the players have heard nothing but good things about Michkov, and that they're thrilled he's finally joining the team.
"We didn't really know when he was supposed to be coming, but it's pretty cool to have him," he said. "We don't really know much about him, us players, but we've heard he's nasty, so we're excited!"
Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale echoed this sentiment, adding that he understands what it's like to be the new guy in the locker room, but he doesn't think Michkov will have any problem fitting right in—especially considering how the Russian prospect has shown how eager he is to get going in Philadelphia.
"You hear so much about it, the anticipation and whatnot, and he's coming earlier than expected from what I've been told," Drysdale said. "I think it shows on his end that he's been excited to come and it's a priority of his to get over here and start playing for the Flyers. I know firsthand what it's like coming into this as a new guy and it's awesome—the group's amazing, the staff's amazing. I heard he's a heck of a player, so I know myself and the rest of the team is just real excited to get him here and get going."
While Michkov will have no problems making friends with Foerster, Drysdale, and the other young players on the Flyers team, veteran defenseman Erik Johnson revealed on Thursday that he's been communicating with the 19-year-old on Instagram, making himself available to answer any questions Michkov has and help him in his transition into the U.S. and the NHL.
"We have the same representation. I've been doing my best to communicate with him via Instagram with a translation tool," Johnson told media. "It's been pretty easy to do that, so I've just been communicating with him, trying to make him comfortable, answer any questions he has."
Johnson is sympathetic to how hard it can be to make the jump to an NHL as a young American player—much less having to adjust to a new country, culture, and language while you're doing it.
"Even as an American guy breaking into the league as a 19-year-old like I did back in 2007, I was super nervous being around the old guys," he admitted. "Even just being in a new city, new country, new language, new food, new everything, new rules, new ice sheet—it's super challenging. I can't imagine what it would be like for a young kid like Matvei coming over from Russia, so I'm familiar with him a little bit."
Using his experience as an 18-year NHL veteran and taking full advantage of his leadership role on the Flyers, Johnson has committed himself to helping Michkov in whatever way he can to make his first year as comfortable as possible.
"I'm here for him in any way he needs," he said. "[Whether it's] helping him acclimate to Philly or the NHL, whether he needs a ride, needs recommendations for where to eat on the road, has questions about how practices are run, how things are going on with media and the schedule and all that. He knows that I'm here for him to answer any questions. He's a high-end package with tons of skill, so it looks like Philly has a great one on their hands for a long time."
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