Goalie Ivan Fedotov boldly defies the Flyers and the IIHF !

On Friday, goalie Ivan Fedotov started in net for CSKA Moscow despite the fact that International Ice Hockey Federation has ruled that his contract with the Philadelphia Flyers is still valid and remains in place.

Last month, the IIHF ruled in favour of the NHL and Flyers that Fedotov’s contract would be tolled after he was forced to miss the entire 2022-23 season having been called into military service in Russia. Hence, the ruling voided Fedotov’s contract with CSKA, with the KHL club also receiving a one-year international transfer ban.

“Based on the evidence provided to the IIHF by the involved parties, the IIHF has determined that Ivan Fedotov has a valid NHL Contract with the Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Club for the 2023/2024 season,” the IIHF said. “Accordingly, the IIHF has determined that Ivan Fedotov was in breach of a Professional Player Contract per Article II.4.1 of the IIHF International Transfer Regulations when he signed a contract with CSKA hockey club for the 2023/2024 season.”

However, Fedotov and CSKA don’t give a damn about it, it seems…

Back in July however, Fedotov’s agent JP Barry had made a statement on behalf of his client, saying the goalie would abide by the IIHF’s ruling either way. The ruling also resulted in a four-month ban from playing in official national and international games.

Not sure what kind of consequences Fedotov and CSKA are now facing…

Fedotov was selection by the Flyers with the 188th overall pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and spent the 2021-22 season with CSKA Moscow. He started 26 games and posted a 14-10-2 record with a 2.00 GAA and a .919 save percentage.