Matvei Michkov is a born competitor. He once shunned a teammate for a day after losing at ping-pong. It’s no surprise to learn that the Philadelphia Flyers forward was upset about being passed over by John Tortorella earlier this season.
“It’s certain that he wasn’t happy,” admitted Flyers general manager Daniel Brière in a long interview with Jean-Charles Lajoie on TVA Sports.
When he was left out of the lineup, Michkov had 10 points in 13 games.
“It could have gone the wrong way, but if a player isn’t happy to be left out, that’s not a good sign either,” Brière qualified.
Tortorella ended up winning his bet, in a way. The dynamic winger has amassed 15 points, including seven goals, in 13 games since his return to the lineup.
“What we loved the most was the way he bounced back afterward,” praised Brière. It’s a gamer and he wanted to prove that he belongs and that it wasn’t a good decision to leave him out.
“It whipped him.”
Funny exit from the match
Beyond his performances on the ice, Michkov also made headlines by leaving a game in a very funny way last Sunday against the Utah club.
Sent off in the last minute of the match after a scuffle with Barrett Hayton, Michkov signed an autograph for a supporter in the tunnel leading to the locker room before disappearing.
“I found it funny at first,” admitted Brière, “but we later understood what happened. It was a Russian-speaking fan who had called out to him earlier in the game, after the first period, I believe. Matvei told him: “After the game, I’m going to sign.” When he got kicked out, he remembered his promise. That’s why he stopped.
“I found that very, very good of him. We have to take care of our supporters. They are the reason we have a job.”
And acolyte and Tippett
In the Flyers locker room, it was the redhead Owen Tippett who took Michkov under his wing.
The two linemates develop a great bond, both on and off the ice.
“When Matvei has questions, he always goes to Owen. For example, to be sure to replace the right person at the next change, mentioned Brière. He is starting to find himself on the ice more and more. It’s exciting for us.”
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