A professional hockey player, who signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Flyers nearly 1 month ago, has been detained in his home country, Russia, on charges of trying to avoid military duty.
Ivan Fedotov is a 6 ‘7 25-year-old goalie who recently signed with the Flyers. He played for Russia in the winter Olympics in Beijing where he was intrumental in the teams silver medal finish. Fedotov was born in Finland but grew up in Russia, where he began his hockey playing career. He spent his last year with Russian professional team CSKA Moscow.
“We’re aware of the reports and are investigating this situation,” Philadelphia Flyers President of Hockey Operations Chuck Fletcher said in a statement. “We do not have any further comment at this time.
In Russia, all men between 18 to 27 are required to complete one year of military service. But, nobody seemed to be aware of his presence in the country, as only his relatives know that he is there because he told them on the phone.
“It is difficult to predict his fate,” Ponomarev added. “He was on the territory of the city military registration and enlistment office, certificate, but he lives in Vsevolozhsk. That is, he has nothing to do with the city’s military registration.
While Ivan was registering for the military, he fell ill and had to be transported to a hospital.
“At this moment, we can’t say exactly how things are. He was in the hospital, at least in fact, but for some reason he was not listed as the other patients,” Ponomarev said.
The military wants Ivan to get well as fast as possible, as they want to transfer him in good condition, but the Ivans continues to argue back, saying that this ordeal is not necessary.
Ivan Fedotov is a 6 ‘7 25-year-old goalie who recently signed with the Flyers. He played for Russia in the winter Olympics in Beijing where he was intrumental in the teams silver medal finish. Fedotov was born in Finland but grew up in Russia, where he began his hockey playing career. He spent his last year with Russian professional team CSKA Moscow.
“We’re aware of the reports and are investigating this situation,” Philadelphia Flyers President of Hockey Operations Chuck Fletcher said in a statement. “We do not have any further comment at this time.
In Russia, all men between 18 to 27 are required to complete one year of military service. But, nobody seemed to be aware of his presence in the country, as only his relatives know that he is there because he told them on the phone.
“It is difficult to predict his fate,” Ponomarev added. “He was on the territory of the city military registration and enlistment office, certificate, but he lives in Vsevolozhsk. That is, he has nothing to do with the city’s military registration.
While Ivan was registering for the military, he fell ill and had to be transported to a hospital.
“At this moment, we can’t say exactly how things are. He was in the hospital, at least in fact, but for some reason he was not listed as the other patients,” Ponomarev said.
The military wants Ivan to get well as fast as possible, as they want to transfer him in good condition, but the Ivans continues to argue back, saying that this ordeal is not necessary.
