VOORHEES, NJ — When the Philadelphia Flyers signed Russian goaltender Ivan Fedotov to a one-year contract on May 7, 2022, they thought it would be a good idea to send him to North America as soon as possible, taking into account geopolitics.
They processed the visa immediately. The appropriate paperwork has been completed and filed. No, Fedotov was not scheduled to attend the prospects development camp in July, given that he was already 25 years old, but the organization hoped he would travel to North America to settle in and prepare to compete for a list. place at training camp in September.
Fedotov never succeeded. After a training session in his hometown of St. Petersburg to prepare for the next stage of his career, he was arrested and forced to serve in the Russian army for a calendar year. According to a source with knowledge of his situation, much of Fedotov’s military service was spent on an aircraft carrier in the Murmansk region, far from the front lines of the war between Russia and Ukraine, which began with a invasion on February 24, 2022., less than three months after signing his contract with the Flyers.
Once his military obligations were completed, it was, according to the same source, “strongly suggested” that Fedotov join CSKA Moscow – also known as the Russian Red Army team. He signed a two-year contract. The Flyers believed the contract was invalid – and the International Ice Hockey Federation agreed, ruling that it was – but rather than engage in that battle, Fedotov and his camp thought It was best for him to get back on the ice after a year of not playing hockey at all. Once again, his NHL dreams would have to wait.
Details are still unclear as to why CSKA Moscow terminated Fedotov’s contract this week after one season, allowing the Flyers to finally hire him this week, with general manager Daniel Brière officially introducing him Friday morning at the team’s training center.
Fedotov, now 27, and who has been in the Philadelphia area since the beginning of the week, indicated Friday that he was ready to move forward. Because Fedotov never started his contract with the Flyers, he is now eligible to play for them.
“Now I’m here and of course, yes, I’m so excited and happy (to) be here,” said Fedotov, who is still learning English. “Great feelings because (it) has been a really difficult couple of years for me.”
Briere chose not to divulge any details about Fedotov’s recent troubles, and before the news conference, a team spokesperson asked the assembled media not to ask any questions of a political nature or about the team’s time spent. player in the army.
“We want to focus on hockey for now,” Brière said. “Eventually we will come back to this, but for now we will leave the details aside.”
Brière continued: “It’s been a long road. I give him a lot of props for continuing to push and finally getting the chance to come, and I hope it’s a new chapter for him and he can start his NHL career, and it goes well foot.
From a hockey perspective, all indications are that the 6-foot-7 Fedotov will play. He took the ice with some of the Flyers’ rehabbing players after speaking with the media and holding up his new orange No. 82 Flyers sweater. He is the only goaltender other than Samuel Ersson on the roster, as Brière confirmed that Felix Sandstrom has been reassigned to AHL Lehigh Valley. He will therefore probably support Ersson on Saturday when the Flyers host the Blackhawks.
The Flyers have just eight games left and are in a tough battle for a playoff spot. They are one point ahead of the Washington Capitals, who have two games in hand, for third place in the Metropolitan Division.
“As far as the game goes, you know how it works here, (coach John Tortorella) is responsible for that,” Briere said. “(Fedotov will be) available, he will be on the ice and with the team in training. Then the technical staff will decide whether he plays or not.
Fedotov said: “It’s really important (the matches) for the whole organization, for the guys – for me too.”
A league source confirmed that Fedotov is also eligible for the playoffs, as he has been on the Flyers’ reserve list all season.
In 44 regular season games in the KHL this season, he was 21-22-1 with a 2.37 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage. In 2021-22, Fedotov led CSKA Moscow to the Gagarin Cup championship, posting a 14-10-2 record with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage in 26 games. regular season. He also competed in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, helping the Russian team win the silver medal.
Adapting to the NHL from the KHL or any European league isn’t always easy, but Fedotov seems up for the challenge.
“You have to be focused on the puck and not think too much,” he said. “It’s faster but for me it’s really good. I like it when the game is as fast as possible.
Fedotov’s stay with the Flyers may be short-lived due to his contract, but he and Briere have both expressed confidence in the possibility of a contract extension.
“It’s something we’re working on,” Briere said. “I don’t expect it to be a problem, but nothing has been done yet.”
Fedotov said: “I am here because I hope we will spend a lot of time together.”
The league source suggested that a Fedotov extension would likely be for two years. If so, that would make Ersson and Fedotov the goaltending tandem for the next two seasons, as Ersson’s two-year extension, worth $2.9 million, will also come into effect. in force next season.
In the meantime, Fedotov will likely remain in the Philadelphia area during the offseason, according to the source with knowledge of his situation, with no plans to return to Russia in the immediate future.
Fedotov’s perseverance over the past two years is a testament to his character, according to Brière.
“That’s what gives us confidence that he can come and help us,” Brière said. “He’s been through a lot in his career. He has been through a lot in his personal life. He continues to fight. He continues to improve, he continues to work at his craft. He’s a big part of why we feel comfortable, and we’re excited to have him on board.
Fedotov said: “I’m here and happy to be here and I want to help the team (in its) fight for the playoffs and be one of the best teams in the playoffs. I’m excited, happy and I want to say a big thank you (to) the whole organization.
(Photo of Ivan Fedotov at the 2022 Olympics: Elsa/Getty Images)