“Difficult to predict his fate” – NHL prospect Ivan Fedotov detained in Russia for allegedly evading military duties
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NHL prospect Ivan Fedotov detained in Russia
Russian media outlets reported that Philadelphia Flyers goaltending prospect Ivan Fedotov has been detained on charges of evading military service. According to New York Times report, it is noted that Fedotov was detained in St. Petersburg hockey ring on Friday and was taken into an army enlistment office. The military prosecutor’s office believes that there are grounds to “consider Fedotov an army evader.”
The Flyers signed Fedotov with an entry-level deal in May while the 25-year-old helped CSKA Moscow win the KHL title this season with a 14-10-2 record and a 2.00 goals-against average with a .919 save percentage. Ivan Fedotov has also helped Russia win silver at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The Flyers chose Fedotov during the 2015 NHL Entry Draft as the 188th overall in the seventh round.
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Questions arise regarding Ivan Fedotov’s detainment by Russia
After speaking with Russian media state RIA Novosti, Ivan Fedotov’s lawyer Alexey Ponomarev denied Fedotov’s charges of evasion from military services. Chuck Fletcher, Philadelphia Flyers President of Hockey Operations said in a statement sent to CNN, “We’re aware of the reports and are investigating the situation. We have no further comment at this time”.
There’s a rule in Russia, that all men under 18-27 are required to complete one year of military service, with a few exceptions. Evasion of conscription can be punishable by ‘heavy fines and sentences up to two years in prison’. Ilya Ponomarev stated, “It is difficult to predict his fate,”. “He was on the territory of the city military registration and enlistment office, but he is registered with the military in Moscow. They found his registration certificate, but he lives in Vsevolozhsk. That is, he has nothing to do with the city military registration and enlistment office.
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It was further stated on edition.cnn.com, that Ponomarev concluded, “The court must resolve this issue, but the conscription procedure was violated. It is strictly described in the law. It is clear that this is not as simple as that. Judging by the last contact with him, he does not feel very well”. CNN has further reached out to NHL, CSKA Moscow, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, and Ponomarev but they did not hear back immediately.
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Kaushani Chatterjee
(2175 Articles Published)