Flyers Alum takes stance against the KHL

Originally posted on Philly Sports Network
By By Regina Ham | Last updated 9/22/22

As the NHL and KHL player dilemma began to adjust to the background, one tweet involving a Philadelphia Flyers alumni reminded everyone.

Former Flyers center Michal Handzus announced on Twitter he’s resigning from the Slovakian Hockey Federation:

Flyers Alum Michal Handzus is resigning from the Slovakian Hockey Federation. He strongly disagrees with a decision to let Slovaks who choose to play in the KHL represent the Slovakian national team. https://t.co/7WUS1ya9mc
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) September 14, 2022

In his statement, he takes issue with Slovakian hockey players playing in the Kontinental Hockey League and then being allowed to represent their home nation.

For those unfamiliar with the KHL, it includes teams from China, Kazakhstan, Belarus, and Russia. Latvia and Denmark bolstered two rosters before Russia invaded Ukraine but have since left the league.

Many hockey federations have since condemned the action and Handzus is just the latest in a string of current and former players taking issues with the KHL. Additionally, and related to the current Flyers, the saga regarding Ivan Fedotov took a final turn.

Bill Meltzer shared the news Philadelphia dreaded:

No suprise here: With the Russian court primed to rule against his appeal, Ivan Fedotov dropped his last-ditch attempt to be allowed to leave Russia and fulfill the contract he signed with the Flyers before he was detained. He is compelled to serve a full year in the military.
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) September 21, 2022

He further explains what this will mean for the 25-year-old Finnish goalkeeper:

Under NHL rules, the Flyers can toll Fedotov's one-year contract because it was legitimately signed and he will be (involuntarily) unavailable to fulfill it. But in terms of any chance of him playing in N. America this year, that door is closed officially.
— Bill Meltzer (@billmeltzer) September 21, 2022

After being arrested in July, and subsequently falling ill, his future in Philadelphia was cloudy at best. Yesterday at the start of the 2022 Flyers Training Camp, Chuck Fletcher gave little hope the situation would improve:

“He has to fulfill a commitment back in Russia. There’s not much influence we can have on the situation. I’ll just leave it that he has to fulfill his commitment in Russia. Obviously, he has a contract with us. But, you know, we’ll just let things play out.”
Chuck Fletcher; 9/22/2022

The situation with players in the KHL will continue to be monitored as the league is still considered one of the best in terms of prospects. As the war with Ukraine continues, the future of players hoping to play in the NHL and for their countries becomes increasingly challenged.

(Mandatory Credit: Shelly Castellano/Icon SM)

This article first appeared on Philly Sports Network and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: