Ivan Fedotov is finally coming to the Flyers.
The Russian goalie joined the team Friday, beginning the next chapter of a saga that saw him arrested and forced into military service.
“It’s been a long time. Now I’m here and I’m so excited,” he told reporters Friday before taking the ice with his new teammates. “I have great feelings because it’s really difficult two years for me. I want to help the team struggle for the playoffs and be one of the best teams in the playoffs.
“I want to say thanks a lot to the organization. They support me a lot.”
Fedotov, drafted by Philadelphia in 2015, signed a one-year deal with the NHL team in 2022 that was tolled, meaning it’s still valid and he is eligible to play this season.
The 27-year-old was set to join the Flyers that season but was taken by authorities to a remote military base in Severomorsk for a year of service.
He’s since been playing for CSKA Moscow of the KHL on a two-year deal — in defiance of the IIHF, which ruled his Flyers contract valid and sanctioned the players and team.
On Thursday, CSKA announced the termination of his Russian contract at the end of its season.
Fedotov went 21-22-1 in 2023-24 with. 2.37 goals-against average and .914 save percentage.
He backstopped the KHL squad to the Gagarin Cup championship in 2021-22, posting a 14-10-2 record and was the starter for the Russians’ silver medal-winning entry at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
He could quickly step in as a backup to Samuel Ersson, who has taken over the starter’s role since Carter Hart departed the team in January as part of the Hockey Canada sexual assault investigation.
“As far as the playing, you know how it works here,” GM Danny Briere said. “[Head coach John Tortorella] is in charge of that. (Fedotov) will be here, he’ll be available, he’ll be on the ice. He’ll be with the team practicing. The coaching staff will decide if he plays or not, so we’re excited to have him here.”
Fedotov can become a free agent at season’s end, but Briere is already at work figuring that out.
“As far as a contract extension, it’s something we’re working on,” he told reporters Friday. “I don’t expect it to be an issue. But nothing has been done as of yet.”
