Matvei Michkov has been the subject of so much talk the last nine months it would take a lifetime to sort through. But despite the Flyers winger having a mediocre season with 51 points and a multitude of issues off the ice according to his head coach, he could still end up taking home an award. Just nothing you might have expected.
Michkov has been nominated by his hometown of Perm, Russia for the 2026 Stroganov Prize “for high achievements in sports.” The award, established in 2005, recognizes those in a variety of disciplines and careers who are from the region who have made “socially significant achievements in the fields of science and technology, sports and culture, economics and management and public life” in the region of Russia. As of June 2, Michkov has 185 votes for the honor. Michkov has his work cut out for him however, as he has a sizeable gap to overtake paralympic skier Anastasia Bagiyan who has 747 votes. While there was also a youth hockey coach, billiards player, and martial artist among others nominated in the early stages, the top three contenders for the category are Michkov, Bagiyan, and triathlete/cross-country skier Saveliy Anisimov.
Matvei Michkov nominated for hometown award in Russia
Voting is held in the region for 14 days with those who have registered on the Perm Community website being the only people eligible to vote. So Flyers fans can’t pad the vote to ensure Michkov gets the nod. The results will be placed on the Perm Community website as well as reported in local media circles.
Matvei Michkov has been nominated for the 2026 Stroganov Prize in the category "For high achievements in sports". This is an annual public award of the Perm Region, presented to people who have brought fame to the region through their accomplishments pic.twitter.com/H8jckudTIi
— Uggg (@Uggg_uggg) June 1, 2026
Michkov’s nomination includes a list of his achievements both for the Flyers and for his pre-NHL career, including being the youngest player (16 years, 11 months, two days) in Russian and Soviet hockey history to dress for his national team. According to the site, two days after making his debut on Nov. 11, 2021, Michkov scored, eclipsing the mark for youngest player to score previously set by Alex Ovechkin. “Today, Matvei Michkov is a shining example of the young generation of Russian sports on the global stage,” the site wrote. “He is a role model for thousands of young athletes in the Kama region and a worthy successor to the renowned Perm athletes.”
Should Michkov earn the award, it will be the first kudo or honor since his rookie season with the Flyers when he was twice named NHL Rookie of the Month. He also reached the 73 point mark in his first 100 regular season games for Philadelphia, the highest amount for a rookie in that span since 1995. Whether Michkov is able to add another trophy or honor to his shelf remains to be seen. But clearly, despite the arduous season the winger had, he is still someone his hometown is extremely proud of for his accomplishments at the highest level.
Michkov might also be able to showcase his talents at an international level now that the International Ice Hockey Federation has changed its stance, no longer banning Russia from every international competition but deciding on a “event-by-event” basis. So, depending on how Philadelphia fares next season, the winger could be part of a Russian team in next year’s World Hockey Championships. But time will tell.
