Matvei Michkov Earns Spot on NHL All-Rookie Team
In a commendable recognition of his talent, Matvei Michkov, the Philadelphia Flyers’ rookie sensation, earned a near-unanimous spot on the 2025 NHL All-Rookie Team announced on Thursday. This achievement highlights his remarkable performance throughout the season, where he tallied 63 points, including 26 goals, across 80 games.
Joining the Rookies
Joining Michkov on this prestigious list are some of his fiercest competitors: Lane Hutson from the Montreal Canadiens, Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf, and San Jose Sharks forward Macklin Celebrini. Each of these players received unanimous backing from voters, securing 187 points, while Michkov fell just shy with 186 points, raising some eyebrows among fans who found it surprising he wasn’t a unanimous pick.
Rivalry in Rankings
In a twist of rivalry, Cutter Gauthier, another Flyers adversary who controversially traded to the Anaheim Ducks after keeping the Flyers guessing for months, secured a commendable position as well. Gauthier’s voting points were a respectable 79, placing him third in the rankings, just behind Michkov and Celebrini. Other notables trailing him included Will Smith (60 points), Zack Bolduc (20), and Logan Stankoven (16).
Calder Trophy Prospects
Turning to the Calder Trophy, which celebrates the NHL’s top rookie, Michkov’s prospects were clear; he would not be a finalist despite his impressive stats. Additionally, Flyers’ defenseman Emil Andrae made an appearance in the voting, compiling seven points and finishing fifth among defensemen. His season culminated in one goal and six assists across 42 games, where he averaged over 17 minutes of ice time.
Historic Milestones
Notably, Michkov, who celebrated his 20th birthday on December 9, became one of only four teenagers in NHL history to record three overtime winners, joining legends such as Sidney Crosby, Ilya Kovalchuk, and Rick Nash in this elite group. His accomplishment marks a significant milestone as he is the first Flyers rookie recognized in the NHL All-Rookie team since Simon Gagne in 2000, following in the footsteps of Mikael Renberg (1994) and Eric Lindros (1993).
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