The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has finally levied their sanctions against the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, CSKA Moscow, and Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov for violating the IIHF transfer agreement and allowing Fedotov to continue to play in the KHL even though he had an active contract with the Flyers.
The IIHF dropped the hammer on Saturday night as they ruled a two-year transfer ban on all international transfers through August 10th, 2026. They then suspended Fedotov from representing his country internationally for the next three years – including the Olympics – as well as a 6-month ban from playing in any club games should he leave the NHL. Finally, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation was fined 1 million Swiss Francs.
Fedotov initially signed his entry-level contract with the Flyers in May of 2022 before he was arrested on suspicion of evading his military conscription. He was forced into spending a year with the Russian navy and subsequently missed the entire 2022-23 season. Upon the completion of his military service, the goaltender quickly signed a contract with CSKA Moscow to remain in the KHL. It remains to be seen if that was his choice or not, but that brought about the ire of the Flyers who brought it forth to the IIHF.
The IIHF eventually ruled in favour of the Flyers last August, stipulating that Fedotov was in breach of his NHL contract – that had been tolled f0r an extra season. He had two options at hand: 1) return to the Flyers within 2 weeks or 2) have his contract terminated by the Flyers but neither of those two came to fruition and because of that he was then banned from all national and international games for 4 months – however, he kept playing.
As the 2023-24 season went along, the Flyers were comfortably rolling with a tandem of Carter Hart and Samuel Ersson. Hart was awarded a leave of absence that was brought about due to the Hockey Canada investigation and the Flyers had to continue their season without their number one goaltender. Ersson played most of the games down the stretch as Cal Petersen and Felix Sandström didn’t prove to be much help in relief.
Then, almost out of thin air, CSKA Moscow announced they had terminated Fedotov’s contract, which allowed him to make his way to North America and into the arms of the Flyers. He was quickly thrusted into action and had a rude awakening to the start of his NHL career with a .811 SV% and a 4.95 GAA in 3 appearances. He signed a two-year contract worth $6.5 million shortly after the season came to a close as both parties hope he can acclimate to his new surroundings and enjoy a full NHL training camp ahead of the 2024-25 season.
