Matvei Michkov is a very talented prospect that was projected to be drafted with the third overall pick in this year's NHL entry draft. The young phenom was on track to fulfill his dream of playing in the NHL, but then tragedy struck. The details are murky, but the story is heartbreaking.
In April, the hockey world heard the devastating news that Michkov's father, Andrei, was found dead in Russia at 51 years old. Earlier this week, Montreal reporter Martin McGuire reported that Andrei was trying to invalidate his son's contract with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. McGuire stated, «Obviously, getting stories confirmed when it comes from Russia, you will understand that it is difficult. But it seems that his father was trying to have the contract invalidated and get Matvei sent to North America quickly.
That's why this story is going to be a bit ‘touchy' because we don't know if the young man is going to be forced to respect the contract he apparently signed because nobody can say clearly if he really signed this contract and if the length is 2 years, 3 years, 4 years on this contract.» Andrei Michkov was missing since April 2nd before being found in a pond near Sochi. Matvei said that roughly 20 minutes after his father left his home in Russia, he received a call from an individual that was threatening.
The sample size on Michkov is small given that he began his professional career during the 2018-2019 season, but he most recently scored 20 points in 27 games for HK Sochi. Michkov's highest total point year came in 2019 when he tallied 109 points in 26 games for the Lokomotiv-2004 Yaroslavi U16 team. Michkov's skillset is worthy of top three selection, but with the situation unfolding in Russia it is likely that his draft stock will fall dramatically. It's a shame that someone this young has to live in a situation like this, but hopefully Michkov can find a way to North America sooner rather than later.
