Ivan Fedotov, a 6-foot 7 Russian hockey goalie, played for the Russian Olympic
Committee this year in the Winter Beijing Olympics and helped Russia win a silver medal. Fedotov recently signed with the Philadelphia Flyers and is expected to compete for a spot on the roster in the training camp this Fall. However, he has been detained in Russia for charges that he evaded military service according to reports from Russian news outlets.
The National Hockey Association is aware of the situation but would not comment further.
Philadelphia’s president of hockey operations and general manager Chuck Fletcher said that the Flyers “are aware of the reports and are investigating the situation.”
Fedotov was allegedly detained on Friday, July 1st, which is the same day that American
basketball star Brittney Griner’s trial began. Griner has been detained in Russia since February.
She was detained at a Moscow airport for carrying what officials said were vape cartridges and hash oil in her luggage. Griner’s supporters claim that Russia has been using her as a “bargaining chip” on the United States for their help in Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.
Twenty-five-year-old Fedotov was born in Finland and grew up in Russia. According to
Russian news outlets, Fedotov was arrested at a St. Petersburg hockey rink and taken into an army enlistment office. Young Russian men are required to complete one year of military service, but Fedotov has yet to enlist.
Many N.H.L teams are eager to find the next greatest Russian goalie, though Fedotov’s
recent detainment may raise concerns about the future of that pipeline. This year, Fedotov helped CSKA Moscow to the Gagarin Cup, the championship of the K.H.L, and was widely recognized as the best goalie in the league with a 2.00 goals-against average. Fletcher noticed his improvement since the Flyers drafted him ever since the day that the team drafted him.
“Ivan is a player we have followed closely and are very pleased with his development,”
Fletcher stated. “He’s put several strong seasons together in the K.H.L., culminating this year when he captured an Olympic silver medal and a K.H.L. Championship.”
Committee this year in the Winter Beijing Olympics and helped Russia win a silver medal. Fedotov recently signed with the Philadelphia Flyers and is expected to compete for a spot on the roster in the training camp this Fall. However, he has been detained in Russia for charges that he evaded military service according to reports from Russian news outlets.
The National Hockey Association is aware of the situation but would not comment further.
Philadelphia’s president of hockey operations and general manager Chuck Fletcher said that the Flyers “are aware of the reports and are investigating the situation.”
Fedotov was allegedly detained on Friday, July 1st, which is the same day that American
basketball star Brittney Griner’s trial began. Griner has been detained in Russia since February.
She was detained at a Moscow airport for carrying what officials said were vape cartridges and hash oil in her luggage. Griner’s supporters claim that Russia has been using her as a “bargaining chip” on the United States for their help in Ukraine during Russia’s invasion.
Twenty-five-year-old Fedotov was born in Finland and grew up in Russia. According to
Russian news outlets, Fedotov was arrested at a St. Petersburg hockey rink and taken into an army enlistment office. Young Russian men are required to complete one year of military service, but Fedotov has yet to enlist.
Many N.H.L teams are eager to find the next greatest Russian goalie, though Fedotov’s
recent detainment may raise concerns about the future of that pipeline. This year, Fedotov helped CSKA Moscow to the Gagarin Cup, the championship of the K.H.L, and was widely recognized as the best goalie in the league with a 2.00 goals-against average. Fletcher noticed his improvement since the Flyers drafted him ever since the day that the team drafted him.
“Ivan is a player we have followed closely and are very pleased with his development,”
Fletcher stated. “He’s put several strong seasons together in the K.H.L., culminating this year when he captured an Olympic silver medal and a K.H.L. Championship.”
