Latest news with #PhiladelphiaFlyers
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Matvei Michkov recalls NHL debut felt like playing on PlayStation, Flyers star eyes big 2025-26 season
Matvei Michkov's NHL debut felt like PlayStation (Image via: Getty Images) Matvei Michkov's transition to the NHL was anything but ordinary. The 20-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward made his debut on October 11 against the Vancouver Canucks, facing top-tier talent like Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, and J.T. Miller. In a recent interview with Russian outlet ЛЁД (Ice) Special, Michkov described the moment as surreal, saying it 'felt like playing on PlayStation.' 'Like playing on PlayStation': Michkov opens up about nerve-wracking NHL debut Michkov didn't hide the fact that his first NHL game left him dazed. 'It was like I was playing on a PlayStation,' he said. 'The players were skating around me, my head was spinning. Even the light on the rink seemed different.' His nerves were clear, but so was his excitement. 'I thought, 'Damn, where did I end up?' It was such a pleasant excitement.' Despite the initial nerves, Michkov logged 18 minutes and 32 seconds of ice time—third-most among Flyers forwards that night. He recorded four shots on goal, took a hooking penalty in the first period, and later drew a tripping call. He was even given a chance in the shootout, though he missed. It didn't matter—Flyers forward Morgan Frost eventually sealed the win. Matvei Michkov | 2024-25 Rookie Highlights 'The first period was a bit shaky,' Michkov admitted, 'but the second and third periods were more or less played. They even trusted me to shoot the penalty shot, though I didn't score, but it gave me even more of a push and motivation for the next game.' FAQs How did Matvei Michkov perform in his rookie NHL season with the Flyers? Matvei Michkov had an impressive rookie year, leading all NHL rookies with 26 goals and tying Macklin Celebrini with 63 points. His performance solidified his role as a rising star for the Philadelphia Flyers. What did Michkov say about his NHL debut? In a candid interview, Michkov said his NHL debut 'felt like playing on PlayStation,' describing the experience as surreal and nerve-wracking. He admitted the first period was shaky, but settled into the game quickly. What can fans expect from Matvei Michkov in the 2025-26 NHL season? With a full rookie season behind him, Michkov is expected to take a big leap in 2025-26. His growing confidence, scoring ability, and increased ice time position him as a key player in the Flyers' rebuild. Flyers' Michkov delivers standout rookie season, eyes bigger impact next year Michkov went on to lead all NHL rookies in goals with 26 and tied Macklin Celebrini for the second-most rookie points with 63. His production was steady, and his confidence grew with each game. While he narrowly missed a unanimous NHL All-Rookie Team selection, his impact didn't go unnoticed. Also Read: Connor McDavid contract delay worries 91-year-old hockey icon Stan Fischler: Is he losing faith in Oilers? Now, with his rookie season behind him, Michkov is preparing for an even stronger 2025-26 campaign. His ability to adapt quickly, compete at a high level, and embrace pressure situations makes him a key piece in the Flyers' rebuild. If his debut felt like a video game, Michkov's next chapter may look more like a highlight reel. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-Flyers Goalie Carter Hart Acquitted in Hockey Canada Trial
Former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart has been found not guilty of sexual assault after being acquitted by Justice Maria Carroccia on Thursday afternoon. Hart, 26, was charged by London police with sexual assault in Jan. 2024, alongside Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, and Cal Foote, in relation to the 2018 Hockey Canada incident. All five players were acquitted of their respective charges after verdicts were read in London, Ontario, Thursday. 'Having found that I cannot rely upon the evidence of E.M. and then considering the evidence in this trial as a whole, I conclude that the Crown cannot meet its onus on any of the counts before me,' Carroccia explained prior to reading the verdicts. The trial involving Hart and the other four players began in April, with closing statements for the case made in June. On Jan. 30, 2024, Hart's legal representation, Savards LLP, confirmed Hart was charged with one count of sexual assault, stating, "he is innocent and will provide a full response to this false allegation in the proper forum, a court of law. Until then, we have no comment.' One week earlier, On Jan. 23, Hart requested and was granted an indefinite leave of absence by the Flyers. In June 2024, ahead of free agency, the Flyers announced that Hart would not receive a qualifying offer, relinquishing his signing rights and parting ways with their former second-round pick. Hart is currently an unrestricted free agent and has not played professional hockey since his last game with the Flyers on Jan. 20, 2024.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flyers Wrap: Porter Martone Off to College, What's Next?
Just as everyone expected, top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone has elected to go the college route, committing to Michigan State on Monday. But, what's next?
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Flyers Wrap: Porter Martone Off to College, What's Next?
Just as everyone expected, top Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone has elected to go the college route, committing to Michigan State on Monday. But, what's next?
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Flyers support top prospect Porter Martone's decision to attend Michigan State
Riley Armstrong already has the dates lodged in his brain. On Oct. 17 and 18, the Michigan State Spartans will face off against the Boston University Terriers at Agganis Arena in Boston, in a pair of games that will feature a whole bunch a Philadelphia Flyers prospects. That includes their top prospect Porter Martone, selected sixth overall by the Flyers in last month's draft, and who declared on Monday that he'll be attending Michigan State in the fall. He'll join fellow 2025 Flyers draft pick Shane Vansaghi on the Spartans, who that weekend will visit 2025 second-round picks Carter Amico and Jack Murtagh and 2021 seventh-round pick Owen McLaughlin on the Terriers. 'That's like half of our pool right there,' Armstrong, the Flyers' director of player development, joked on Tuesday. A post shared by PM94 (@portermartone94) Martone joining Michigan State made headlines earlier this week not only because of his pedigree, but he could just as easily have returned to his junior club, OHL Brampton, where he posted 37 goals and 98 points in 57 games last season. Going the college route will also prevent him from taking part in Flyers training camp in September, where he might have had an outside shot at making the team. That's now off the table. Advertisement But the Flyers are seemingly on board with Martone's decision. They were kept in the loop throughout the decision-making process, although general manager Daniel Briere indicated that they were also careful not to interfere too much, either. 'It was Porter and his family and his agent making the decision,' Briere told The Athletic on Tuesday. 'The cool part is we were involved in the process. They included us. We had long discussions. It's not like we told him one way or the other. We shared kind of the positives and the negatives of each side. They made the decision. So we told him we'd be very supportive of whatever the decision would be. It's not like there's a wrong or right answer here.' Said Armstrong: 'It was up to him and his family and his agent on the decision that he made, and we supported whatever he wanted to do.' Armstrong also pointed out what is thought by many to be the biggest benefit of playing in college: going against players who are older and more physically developed than those still in the Canadian junior ranks, while allowing plenty of time for off-ice work in the middle of the week as games are almost exclusively on weekends. 'I think from a strength standpoint, you get more time in the gym,' Armstrong said. 'You don't play as many games, and when you do play those games, he's not playing against 16 and 17-year-olds; he's going to play against 20-, 21-, 22-(year-olds) that are more mature. 'I felt it was a very mature decision for Porter to look at his career in the big picture, and not with this small lens (and say) this is going to help me five years from now. So I'm really excited about that, about his mindset that he had.' From a Flyers standpoint, though, Briere admitted that he's slightly disappointed that Martone, 18, won't be immediately experiencing his first NHL training camp. Depending on whether Tyson Foerster is healthy enough to start the season after developing an infection in his arm — the Flyers are still hopeful Foerster will be OK, but remain uncertain whether that will be the case — the door might have been open for Martone to stake his claim as a top-nine winger on opening night. Advertisement At the same time, Briere echoed Armstrong in suggesting that Martone attending Michigan State could potentially further his development. 'Going that direction and taking a year, a step up going from playing against 16-to-19 year olds, and now facing 19-to-24 year olds, it's going to be a little tougher for him,' Briere said. 'Guys that are a little bit more developed … it's kind of a stepping stone. We feel it could be the right decision, as well.' And, no, Briere isn't at all concerned about a repeat of the situation the Flyers found themselves in with Cutter Gauthier, when the Boston College product who was the fifth-overall pick of the Flyers in 2022 spurned the organization, forcing a trade. 'There's no worries about that,' Briere said. 'The biggest difference is the communication between our camp and (Martone's) camp, which wasn't there in the previous experience (with Gauthier).' That communication with Martone will remain consistent, according to Briere. That's something that Armstrong spearheads, with his player development staff that also includes Patrick Sharp, John LeClair, Sam Morin and Chris Stewart. Martone can expect a text message every Monday, according to Armstrong, who makes a point to do that with all of the organization's prospects on the first day of every week throughout the season. 'Riley has a big say in that. He's going to spend a lot of time — him and his staff and the rest of his group, they're all going to take turns,' Briere said. 'There's constant communication with all parties involved.' Briere continued: 'The important part for us, and we told (Martone), is we care about what Porter Martone is going to be in three, five, seven years from now. That's the most important part.'
