Ivan Fedotov, a Russian ice hockey star and Olympics medalist, has been detained in his home country based on charges of evading military service after signing a contract with the U.S.’s Philadelphia Flyers last month. In just one night, he was forcefully taken from his home in St. Petersburg to an isolated naval base in the Arctic where he now awaits his new fate in Putin’s army.
It came as a shock when one of Russia’s greatest hockey players was detained at an army enlistment office on Friday for abandoning his mandatory military services. As a member of Russia’s National Hockey League which brought in a silver medal at this year’s Winter Olympics, the highly successful 6-foot-7 goalie Ivan Fedotov was suddenly arrested at a ice rink in St. Petersburg without an explanation.
Signing a one-million-dollar contract with the Philadelphia Flyers meant that he would have to leave Russia and join the U.S hockey team. However, this meant that he would have to quit the CSKA Moscow (Central Sports Club of the Army), a KHL club with very close relations to the Russian military. Since he still had a year of mandatory military service left unfinished, Fedotov’s actions against one of Russia’s premier hockey leagues were seen as an abandonment of his military duties, leading to his arrest.
Some people believe that the famed ice hockey player’s current situation is Russia’s revenge for his plans to leave the Russian hockey field. Additionally, the political tension between Russia and the U.S. currently is especially high because of the war in Ukraine, which only further strengthens this belief.
Although Russian goalies have risen as the new elite stars in the NHL, Fedotov’s news brought many concerns regarding the future success of these athletes.
Chuck Fletcher, general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, reflects on his time with Fedotov. “Ivan is a player we have followed closely and are very pleased with his development, “ he says, “He’s put a number of strong seasons together in the KHL, culminating this year when he captured an Olympic silver medal and a KHL Championship.”
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It came as a shock when one of Russia’s greatest hockey players was detained at an army enlistment office on Friday for abandoning his mandatory military services. As a member of Russia’s National Hockey League which brought in a silver medal at this year’s Winter Olympics, the highly successful 6-foot-7 goalie Ivan Fedotov was suddenly arrested at a ice rink in St. Petersburg without an explanation.
Signing a one-million-dollar contract with the Philadelphia Flyers meant that he would have to leave Russia and join the U.S hockey team. However, this meant that he would have to quit the CSKA Moscow (Central Sports Club of the Army), a KHL club with very close relations to the Russian military. Since he still had a year of mandatory military service left unfinished, Fedotov’s actions against one of Russia’s premier hockey leagues were seen as an abandonment of his military duties, leading to his arrest.
Some people believe that the famed ice hockey player’s current situation is Russia’s revenge for his plans to leave the Russian hockey field. Additionally, the political tension between Russia and the U.S. currently is especially high because of the war in Ukraine, which only further strengthens this belief.
Although Russian goalies have risen as the new elite stars in the NHL, Fedotov’s news brought many concerns regarding the future success of these athletes.
Chuck Fletcher, general manager of the Philadelphia Flyers, reflects on his time with Fedotov. “Ivan is a player we have followed closely and are very pleased with his development, “ he says, “He’s put a number of strong seasons together in the KHL, culminating this year when he captured an Olympic silver medal and a KHL Championship.”
Link: https://s3.amazonaws.com/appforest_uf/f1656877321237x683539068075620600/Russia%20Detains%20Olympic%20Goalie%2C%20Who%20Had%20Signed%20With%20the%20Philadelphia%20Flyers%20-%20The%20New%20York%20Times.pdf
