Flyers turn to Russian teen sensation Matvei Michkov to lift them into the playoffs

VOORHEES, N.J. (AP) — Matvei Michkov’s first dose of culture shock in American hockey hit the teen sensation when he skated in the opening days of Philadelphia Flyers’ training camp.

Flyers fans were already dressed in his No. 39 jersey. Lots of them. Kids. Adults. The Flyers open the doors to the public for most practices, and fans — who haven’t had much to cheer for since 2010 — flocked to South Jersey to catch a glimpse of the talent whose buzz has already drawn comparisons to another franchise great, Eric Lindros.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to see the fans already showing up,” Michkov said through a translator. “It helps go though the hard training. Sometimes, we’re doing it for the fans and it helps overall.”

The 19-year-old Russian also noted he’d never seen so many fans before wearing his jersey.