Flyers Select Matvei Machkov and Oliver Bonk in First Round
June 28, 2023
The Philadelphia Flyers organization grew by two players at the NHL Draft in Nashville on Wednesday.
Talented right wing Matvei Michkov was taken with the #7 overall pick. Oliver Bonk is a right-shot defenseman who was selected #22 overall. Neither player will be expected on the Phantoms in the immediate future but either one could potentially make it onto the team in upcoming seasons.
The 18-year-old Michkov impressed among the big boys scoring 9-11-20 in 27 games with Sochi HC in the KHL. He is currently under contract in the KHL for the next three seasons which ultimately led to him dropping lower in the draft than he might have otherwise. Many were saying that in a different year and in a different situation, Michkov has the talent to have possibly even been a #1 overall selection.
Hear from GMDB following the selection of Matvei Michkov. #NHLDraft | @IBX pic.twitter.com/3sePc7bEVS
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) June 29, 2023
Bonk was a leader for the London Knights of the OHL in their playoff run after scoring 10-30-40 in 67 games in the regular season. Oliver is the son of former NHL veteran Radek Bonk who played in 969 career games with Ottawa
and Nashville scoring 194 goals. Radek was also a first-rounder and was selected #3 overall on the same date exactly 29 years earlier in 1994.
Congrats to both Matvei Machkov and Oliver Bonk and we can’t wait to see you in the Orange and Black with the Flyers or Phantoms in the future!
