The IIHF has announced that Philadelphia Flyers prospect Ivan Fedotov has been given a four-month suspension from “playing in official national and international games from Sept. 1 and Dec. 31.
The suspension begins with CSKA Moscow’s first KHL regular season game, meaning he’s set to miss the campaign’s first half.
Fedotov originally signed a contract with the Philadelphia Flyers ahead of the 2022-23 season. Fedotov was detained in Russia for allegedly evading military service last year and was unable to join the Flyers. His deal was moved over for the 2023-24 season, with the belief that he’d be ready to serve as backup for the coming campaign.
But Fedotov instead signed a contract to return to CSKA, breaching the IIHF’s rules about international transfer regulations. When a player is under contract with an NHL team, they are unable to sign a deal in the KHL, and vice-versa. A player on an NHL contract can be loaned out to the KHL, as is the case for many prospects.
The IIHF determined that Fedotov’s previously signed deal with the Flyers was valid, which resulted in the sanction.
“In accordance with Article II.4.1 of the IIHF International Transfer Regulations, Ivan Fedotov was given two (2) weeks to either go back to his former club (i.e Philadelphia Flyers Hockey Club); or obtain a release from his former club,” the IIHF’s official release said. Neither would occur, which resulted in the suspension.
The IIHF also announced that CSKA has been given a one-season ban on international transfers from Aug. 11, 2023 until Aug. 10, 2024.
The 26-year-old goaltender was drafted 188th overall by the Flyers in 2015. He started to make a name for himself over the past few years, and was one of the top goaltenders at the 2022 Olympics with the Russian Olympic Committee. He also was named top goalie in the KHL that season, which led to him becoming a high-profile transfer option for the Flyers.
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