VOORHEES, N.J. — Matvei Michkov worked hard over the offseason, a summer that was likely fueled by his previous offseason and a sophomore slump that elicited all kinds of attention.

And after all the offseason effort, he embraced a different type of hard work on the first day of training camp.

This was away from the ice and gym. There were no pucks or weights. This work came at the press conference table, with reporters and cameras fixated on him. As a 21-year-old from Russia, a kid who took the jump to America and the NHL just two years ago, Michkov spoke in English on Thursday.

It was commendable. It was impressive.

“I know now a little bit better English,” Michkov said. “My first year was so hard for me, I stayed in Philly with zero level English. Second year, a little bit better. Now a little bit better more. This is my first interview in English. This is hard for me, guys, sorry. I think now I’m much better. Philly, this is my second home. … Thank you, everybody, for the support.”

Michkov’s translator Slava Kuznetsov, a Flyers consultant, stood off to the side. He helped Michkov understand a few questions and say a few words. But Michkov was the one that tackled this.

“I think that’s a big step for him,” Rick Tocchet said. “We encouraged him to come out here. I don’t think he needs a translator all the time. We want to take the safety net under him. I think he did a hell of a job. Going up to coaches on his own and things like that, we’ve got to create that culture for him.”

Michkov trimmed down with a strong summer back home in Russia.

“You can definitely tell he has put in the work, he has put in sacrifices,” Sean Couturier said. “He looks in good shape. He’s skating well out there, making plays. It’s exciting to see. He has always been a big part of our team. We expect that out of him and he seems to want more. That’s encouraging and it’s fun to see.”

The third-year winger had Flyers performance development coach Lorne Goldenberg visit him for a couple of weeks.

“This was good work,” Michkov said. … “It was a hard two weeks, but it was good for me.

“I feel lighter right now on the ice, more speed. Every skill has more speed, better speed.”

Michkov said he worked all summer on improving his one-timer. He’s coming off a 20-goal, 51-point season. If that’s a down year in just his second NHL season, that’s a pretty good floor.

Just three days after last season, Michkov had a motivated look to him. He must’ve carried that through the offseason, all the way to the press conference table Thursday.

“This is hard work, too,” Michkov said. “Hard work not only on the ice; on life, too.”

The work was noticeable. He got up there and showed it. And said it.