Photo Credit: Len Redkoles/Getty Images
Ivan Fedotov has given the Flyers organization some positivity, and they need it. Although, the big club struggled this past season, there are some young prospects that are flourishing, and none more than Fedotov. The mission is now complete for Fedotov to come to North america, as he inked a one-year ELC with the Flyers today.
“Ivan is a player we have followed closely and are very pleased with his development,” said Flyers’ General Manager Chuck Fletcher. “He’s put a number of strong seasons together in the KHL culminating this year when he captured an Olympic Silver Medal and a KHL Championship.”
In six Olympic games this past Winter, Fedotov finished Beijing with a 4-2 record, with two shutouts, and made 163 saves on 174 shots faced. For his efforts, he earned a .936 Save Percentage as Russia (ROC) finished Beijing with a Silver Medal, after falling to Finland 2-1 last night. Of course, Fedotov made 29 saves on 31 shots faced in the loss.
It is very likely that Fedotov will be Carter Hart’s backup in the Fall, and skip the AHL to play in the NHL next season. The Flyers have been in talks with his agent about him signing with the big club, which is good news, although the Flyers own indefinite rights to him. Most teams, to include the Flyers, would easily be able to place Fedotov as a backup for the prized Carter Hart next season. He arguably played well in the second best league in the World (KHL). Fletcher was very high on Fedotov is your presser this past Tuesday:
“We’re hopeful to come to terms with Fedotov in the very near future. Clearly, things are a little more complicated due to the situation in Ukraine right now, but we’re still expecting that we’ll be able to get him the proper paperwork and have him here for next season.” – Chuck Fletcher
Fletcher continued on Fedotov, “He can compete for the number two job. He’s coming off a remarkable playoff run and good Olympics. Again, I think he’s 25, might be turning 26, but he’s right at that age where he’s put his time in. He’s developed, and he’s ready to go. Like every goalie coming over from the bigger ice surface, sometimes there’s a little bit of adjustment with angles. In the NHL, there’s a lot more traffic at the net. A lot more throwing pucks at the net and jamming the net. There’s certainly things that goalies have to adapt to and some do it quicker than others. In terms of ability, we think he’s ready to challenge for an important role.”
This towering prospect in Fedotov stands at 6’8 and weighs 203 pounds. Since being drafted by the Flyers; the now 25-year-old Fedotov has made his way up the ranks in Russia. He is now playing in the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League), which is not only Russia’s top league, but it’s arguably the second toughest league in the World. This season Fedotov has spent time with CSKA Moscow and he has posted a 14-10-2 record, a 2.00 GAA (Goals Against Average), with a .919 SV% (Save Percentage). Moreover, Fedotov was also credited with two shutouts. Simply put, he kicked butt for CSKA Moscow in the playoffs, as well, as he posted a 1.85 GAA, and a .937 Save Percentage with one shutout in 22 games played. For his efforts, CSKA won the Gagarin Cup in seven games.
In the end, Fedotov killed it in the KHL, and hopefully this will bear fruit in the future for the orange and black in North America sooner rather than later.
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