When Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov terminated his contract with CSKA Moscow of the KHL to leave Russia and begun his playing career in the NHL, he shocked the hockey world.
He also realized a lifelong dream.
How Fedotov left CSKA to join the Flyers is still a mystery, at least until now. At Fedotov’s introductory press conference, Flyers general manager Danny Briere declined to elaborate on the timeline of events leading up to Fedotov’s arrival, instead preferring to “focus on hockey”.
“For now, we’ll leave the details out,” Briere had said.
In an interview with MatchTV, Fedotov revealed that he and CSKA had a mutual understanding to allow him to fulfill his childhood dream of playing in the NHL by joining the Flyers.
“In general, I and CSKA had a certain common denominator after the difficult mixed season — for the club, for the guys, for me. No one is happy with the result. All year we suffered, rode on waves,” Fedotov said of his final year in the KHL. “Ahead of CSKA is the restructuring, certain changes for new achievements and achievements. Sometimes you need a step back to take two steps forward.”
After the season, Fedotov was still able to join the Flyers. And so it happened.
“I honestly paid the debt to my homeland. And we came to the general conclusion that I have the opportunity to realize my dream, which I have always sought,” Fedotov added. “I hope for understanding from others. That people still respect the determination and certain ambitions that athletes may have.
“I wish CSKA new achievements and victories. And who knows how it will turn out? The earth is round. What awaits us ahead? I always take this productively and positively. Who knows, maybe one day our paths with CSKA will cross again. Therefore, you never need to burn bridges. I wish everyone only good.”
Fedotov, of course, agreed to a two-year, $6.55 million contract extension with the Flyers last week. Though many talking heads of the hockey community were taken aback by Fedotov’s AAV, the 27-year-old uses his new contract only as motivation. He planned it as such.
“Yes, everything is planned, in general, like everyone else. There was a vision and understanding on both sides. We have come to a mutual agreement,” Fedotov said of his new deal. “They realized that a two-year contract would be the best solution to look at the distance. Thank you, Philadelphia, for your support, faith, and trust.
For me, the contract is a powerful incentive to prove itself on the right side in the NHL. It is necessary to fully adapt and work fruitfully. You don’t know how it will turn out. But you always believe that cooperation will be long. Time will show how it really will be. And now I would like to once again say thanks to the Flyers for believing in me and in my strong qualities, for striving to develop the weak.”
Fedotov appeared in three games for the Flyers this season, making one start with an 0-1-1 record and a .818 save percentage. Next season, Fedotov will begin his first chapter as an NHL goalie.
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