Report: Ivan Fedotov Signs KHL Deal After Being Detained, Deployed To Arctic

After being detained by Russian authorities and sent to an Arctic naval base this offseason, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov is reportedly being allowed to continue his pro hockey career. However, it will not be in North America, but in Russia with his previous club, CSKA Moscow.

Per KHL journalist Karl Månsson and multiple reports, the Flyers prospect signed a three-year deal with CSKA Moscow on Wednesday. There is the possibility that CSKA Moscow could trade him elsewhere.

Fedotov rose to prominence in 2021-22 as one of the top international netminders. In 26 games with the CSKA Moscow, he boasted a 14-10-2 record with a .919 save percentage and 2.00 GAA. His 16 wins and .937 SV% in the KHL playoffs also helped CSKA Moscow capture their second Gagarin Cup in 2022. In addition, the 25-year-old backstopped the Russian Olympic Committee to a silver medal as he registered a .943 SV% and 1.61 GAA in six games.

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After the 2021-22 campaign, Fedotov announced that he would head to the United States to make the NHL jump with Philadelphia. The plan was for the 2015 seventh-rounder to join Carter Hart and make up the Flyers goaltending duo. However, that plan wouldn’t happen, as he didn’t make it to North America.

While leaving a rink in St. Petersburg in July, the 6-8 netminder was detained for allegedly dodging mandatory military service. All Russian men aged 18-27 must serve at least one year in the Russian armed forces.

Authorities then Fedotov to an enlistment office, where the Finnish-born Russian reportedly fell ill. He was rushed to the hospital, where Fedotov told his agent that he was injected with substances he didn’t understand. Authorities then reportedly deployed him to Severomorsk. It is a Russian naval base for the Northern Fleet located in the Arctic. Fedotov is now on trial to appeal his military service. His lawyer appeared in court for him in August.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in late February, some NHL players have experienced trouble with their home country. Fedotov is one, but Kirill Kaprizov also reportedly got into trouble for allegedly purchasing a fake military ID. However, the Minnesota Wild star safely made it back to the U.S. in August.