According to reports, Russian officials have detained and conscripted Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Fedotov to serve in the Russian Navy. The 25-year old was drafted by the Flyers in the seventh round (188th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft. In May he signed a one-year $925,000 entry contract with the Flyers.
Fedotov, who fell ill after being detained, was reportedly removed from the hospital and shipped off the Russian arctic in the middle of the night. The goalie’s attorney, Alexei Ponomaryev, reportedly told the Moscow Times that Fedotov’s parents were barred from seeing him while he was in the hospital. He is expected to be sent to Novaya Zemlya with the Russian Northern Fleet.
All Russian men between the ages of 18-27 are required to serve one-year in the Russian military. Fedotov played for the KHL’s HC CSKA which is run by the Russian Defense Ministry. Generally, CSKA players are considered “serving” during their time with the club. However, Russia is getting its ass kicked by the Ukrainian’s and is now forced to grab people off the streets.
Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher noted that the Flyers are “aware of the report and are investigating the situation.”
On the ice, Fedotov helped CSKA win the KHL’s Gargarin Cup and was awarded the KHL’s top goalie award. He posted a 2.00 GAA and a .919 save percentage for the Red Army team. Fedotov also helped the Russian’s take the silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. He had a 1.61 GAA and a .942 save percentage during the games.
The Flyers were expecting Fedotov to move to the States and be the backup goaltender for Carter Hart.
This is a developing story…
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