When Matvei Michkov arrived in Philadelphia, his adjustment process came with a unique set of challenges—new language, new culture, and the demands of the most competitive hockey league in the world.
For Egor Zamula, a defenseman and Michkov’s countryman, the rookie’s transition presented an opportunity to help a teammate—one that he took without hesitation. But that opportunity didn’t come without its own challenges.
As Michkov’s unofficial interpreter and cultural guide, Zamula found himself juggling dual responsibilities: assisting Michkov in navigating the intricacies of North American hockey and focusing on his own game. While the Flyers valued Zamula’s efforts to support Michkov, it didn’t take long for this role to impact the defenseman’s performance on the ice.
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A Balancing Act That Nearly Toppled
In a recent interview with RG, Zamula admitted that while he was happy to lend a helping hand in easing Michkov’s transition into North America, the weight of the role affected him early in the season.
“Helping isn’t hard, but when you’re together 24/7, it can be exhausting,” he said. “It’s easy to lose focus because you’re constantly thinking about how to translate something.”
Although other Russian players across the league made a significant effort to help Michkov feel comfortable (Zamula recounted Edmonton Oilers winger Vasily Podkolzin welcoming the Flyers’ Russian players to his home when they came to town, along with revealing that he and Michkov have had dinners with countrymen and New York Rangers stars Artemi Panarin and Igor Shesterkin), at the end of the day, he felt that the responsibility still feel largely on him to ensure Michkov was adapting.
He clarified that “Matvei figured things out on his own; I didn’t even have to say much,” but noted that, “Helping isn’t difficult, but you also have to think about yourself and your game. Thankfully, we have a translator, [Flyers consultant] Slava Kuznetsov, who helps Matvei. If he doesn’t understand something on the ice or in the locker room, I step in.”
The weight of this role became apparent in his on-ice performance. As the season began, Zamula struggled with consistency and keeping up with the pace of the game, often finding himself out of position or making rushed decisions with the puck.
Flyers head coach John Tortorella noted back in October that the defenseman was having trouble “…not just physical speed, but mental [speed] as far as reading plays, getting up the ice quicker.”
He added that he thought the team “went a little bit too far” with Zamula’s informal interpreter role, admitting that he was kept in the lineup largely in part to help Michkov understand what was being asked of him during games.
“We have stopped using him as an interpreter,” Tortorella said on Oct. 27, 2024. “I think we went a little bit too far there. It’s time that we talked to [Michkov]…It’s just too much and that’s affected [Zamula] a little bit.”
Tortorella’s Honest Approach
Despite the early struggles, Zamula credits Tortorella’s approach for helping him grow and improve as the season goes on.
He specifically highlighted Tortorella’s unique brand of brutal honesty and willingness to communicate with players as the reason he’s been able to overcome his early-season obstacles.
“He’s good in that way,” Zamula said. “Everyone respects him in the locker room because he’ll come in and tell you everything straight to your face, in front of the whole team. You can even argue with him, but he’ll show you his point with video evidence proving he’s right. He’s always honest. His motto is, ‘I’d rather be honest with you than having you hold grudges against me.'”
Tortorella’s method resonates deeply with players like Zamula, who said he appreciates the balance between constructive criticism and acknowledgement of progress.
“Occasionally, he’ll put pressure on a player intentionally to push them to the next level and see how they react,” the 24-year-old revealed. “That happened to me. Right after that, I scored in Pittsburgh.
“He can be tough, but if you play a good shift, he’ll come over and apologize, saying, ‘Good job.’ He doesn’t talk much—just what’s necessary. He’s an experienced coach who understands the league and its nuances like no one else.”
Now, several months into the season, it’s abundantly clear that Michkov doesn’t need to use Zamula (or the Flyers’ Russian goaltender Ivan Fedotov, who speaks both English and Russian) as a crutch to understand his environment. This lifts a weight off of the young defenseman, allowing him to continue with his individual development—which will, in turn, hopefully help bring the Flyers postseason success.
“I don’t even look at the standings,” he admitted. “Every game feels like a new battle—we go out there and play.”
Related: John Tortorella Calls Out Egor Zamula’s Role; Raises New Questions For Flyers Defense
Related: Flyers Defenseman Uses His Journey From Russia To Help Michkov Adjust To America
Related: Matvei Michkov’s Quiet Determination To Grow: How A Russian Star Is Thriving With The Flyers
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