Former CSKA Moscow goaltender Ivan Fedotov joins the Philadelphia Flyers

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The process needed to extract goalie Ivan Fedotov from both his Russian military and hockey commitments and finally land him in Philadelphia — nine years after he was drafted by the Flyers — remains largely shrouded in Cold War-era type secrecy.

Flyers general manager Danny Briere stuck to silence on Fedotov's path to Philly as the goalie was introduced Friday to the team.

“We'll just leave the details out,” Briere said.

What the Flyers are willing to reveal is this: they believe the 27-year-old Fedotov was worth the arduous, complicated wait to get him and that he can make an impact down the stretch as they chase a playoff a berth.

“That's what gives us confidence he can come and help us,” Briere said at the Flyers' New Jersey complex. “He's been through a lot in his career. He's been through a lot in his personal life. It's a big part of the reason why we feel comfortable. We're excited to have him aboard.”

Fedotov was able to join the Flyers nine years after he was picked in the seventh round of the 2015 draft because he had his contract in Russia’s KHL terminated Thursday by CSKA Moscow.

CSKA announced the abrupt termination with one year remaining on it, saying it keeps his KHL rights and “the club thanks Ivan Fedotov and wishes him good luck in (his) career.”

Fedotov speaks limited English but noted several times he was thankful for the Flyers and the opportunity to play in the NHL.

“Very difficult two years,” he said. “Now I'm here and happy to be here and help the team.”

Fedotov is under contract with the Flyers this season after his initial deal, signed in May 2022, was tolled. He attempted to come to North America in July 2022, but instead was taken by authorities to a remote military base in the Arctic Circle for a year of service.

Last summer, after completing that service, Fedotov signed a two-year contract with CSKA. He played for the team this past season, appearing in 49 games through March 8, when it was eliminated in the first round of the KHL's Gagarin Cup playoffs.

Because Fedotov already had an NHL contract with the Flyers, the International Ice Hockey Federation last summer ruled in their favor and sanctioned him and CSKA.

Fedotov was the starter for the Russians at the 2022 Beijing Olympics when they reached the final and lost to Finland.

“We were always hopeful that he would come,” Briere said. “It’s been a long road. I give him a lot of props to keep pushing and finally have the chance to come. Hopefully it’s a new chapter for him.”

Briere said he did not expect a contract extension to become an issue.

Fedotov practiced Friday and should be available to play almost right away. The Flyers — who lost starting goalie Carter Hart in January after he was charged with sexual assault — have Samuel Ersson as their No. 1 goaltender. To make room for Fedotov on the roster, backup goalie Felix Sandström was sent to the minor leagues.

Expected to be in the midst of a lengthy rebuild, the Flyers are instead one of the surprises of the NHL. Under coach John Tortorella, the Flyers have 82 points and are vying with Detroit and Washington for two of the final spots in the Eastern Conference.

The Flyers host Chicago on Saturday, play Monday and have back-to-back games next Friday and Saturday, giving Fedotov enough opportunity to hit the ice. He would be eligible to play in the postseason.

“The coaching staff will decide if he plays or not,” Briere said.

Fedotov can't wait to push the thorny geopolitical issues aside and just play hockey.

“I hope it’s a long time together,” he said.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Philadelphia Flyers Ivan Fedotov, right, takes questions from the media as general manager Daniel Briere looks on during an NHL hockey press conference, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere, left, and Ivan Fedotov takes questions from the media during an NHL hockey press conference, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. Goaltender Ivan Fedotov has finally joined the Philadelphia Flyers. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Fedotov takes to the ice for some NHL hockey practice following his introductory press conference, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Fedotov takes to the ice for some NHL hockey practice following his introductory press conference, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Fedotov takes to the ice for some NHL hockey practice following his introductory press conference, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Fedotov takes questions from the media during an NHL hockey press conference, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. Nine years after he was drafted by Philadelphia, goalie Ivan Fedotov has joined the Flyers.(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Fedotov, right, shakes hands with general manager Daniel Briere during an NHL hockey press conference, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers' Ivan Fedotov puts on his new Flyers jersey during an NHL hockey press conference, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere, left, and Ivan Fedotov pose with Fedotov's Flyers jersey during an NHL hockey press conference, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. Nine years after he was drafted by Philadelphia, goalie Ivan Fedotov has joined the Flyers.(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere, left, and Ivan Fedotov pose with Fedotov's Flyers jersey during an NHL hockey press conference, Friday, March 29, 2024, in Voorhees, N.J. Nine years after he was drafted by Philadelphia, goalie Ivan Fedotov has joined the Flyers.(AP Photo/Chris Szagola)

FILE - Russian Olympic Committee goalkeeper Ivan Fedotov (28) reacts after a goal by Finland's Hannes Bjorninen during the men's gold medal hockey game at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, in Beijing. Fedotov has had his contract in Russia's KHL terminated by CSKA Moscow, the team announced Thursday, March 28, 2024, with one year remaining on it. The Philadelphia Flyers own Fedotov's NHL rights, signed him in May 2022 and attempted to bring him to North America a few months later. He was instead taken to a remote military base in the Arctic Circle for a year of service. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)

NEW YORK (AP) — Ian Happ, Nick Madrigal and Miguel Amaya teamed up for the game-ending double play Wednesday night, preserving the win for sensational rookie Shota Imanaga after he threw seven scoreless innings in the Chicago Cubs’ 1-0 victory over the New York Mets.

Hector Neris, who notched his fifth save, hit Pete Alonso with one out in the ninth and gave up a double to J.D. Martinez before Jeff McNeil flew out to Happ in left field. Alonso tagged up and raced home, but Madrigal — inserted at third base as a defensive replacement for Christopher Morel in the eighth — cut off Happ’s throw and whirled as he fired home to Amaya.

Alonso beat the throw, but Amaya had his foot on the plate and Alonso didn’t get his arm around the catcher.

“I thought we made a great play,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “Ian made a good throw to Nick and Nick put a throw right on the money. Just good wherewithal by both guys to do it as fast as they did and as accurately as they could. And a great tag by Miggy.”

The Mets challenged the play, but after a review of more than four minutes, umpire Derek Thomas — the replay official at the Replay Center in New York — determined Amaya did not violate the home plate collision rule and could not “… definitely determine that (Alonso) contacted home plate” before Amaya made the tag.

“A roller coaster of emotions overall, but happy it worked out for us,” Madrigal said.

The Cubs resumed celebrating once crew chief Chad Fairchild announced the call was upheld.

“Amazing,” Amaya said. “An electric end for us.”

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza argued with Fairchild.

“I think they got the wrong call,” Mendoza said. “Without possession of the baseball, he cannot be in front of the plate, straddle the plate or have his foot on top of the plate. Clearly, on the replay, that wasn’t the case. He was blocking without possession of the baseball.”

Imanaga (5-0) allowed three hits and walked one with seven strikeouts to lower his ERA to 0.78 — the fourth-lowest mark by a pitcher through his first six career starts since earned runs became official in both leagues in 1913.

“I think personally there’s probably not that much data on me,” Imanaga said through an interpreter. “As they watch more video, they’re gathering more data, they’re going to have a plan for attack against me. So once that happens, just need to make an adjustment and then I need to prove myself.”

The Mets got two on against Mark Leiter Jr. in the eighth before Yency Almonte struck out Tyrone Taylor and Starling Marte.

Former Mets farmhand Pete Crow-Armstrong — who was dealt to Chicago for Javier Báez at the 2021 trade deadline — had a sacrifice fly in the fifth, four pitches after his bat flew out of his hands and landed in the netting above the home dugout when he missed an offering from New York starter Jose Butto. The bat was retrieved by Citi Field security immediately after the sacrifice fly that drove in Matt Mervis.

Butto (0-2) gave up four hits in six innings for the Mets, whose starting pitchers have posted a 1.33 ERA in the last four games. He struck out six.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: RHP Justin Steele (left hamstring strain), who was injured Opening Day, began a rehab assignment Wednesday, when he allowed three runs over 3 1/3 innings for Triple-A Iowa. Manager Craig Counsell said he wasn’t sure if Steele would make another rehab start before rejoining the major league team. … RHP Kyle Hendricks (lower back strain) is scheduled to start and throw 75-80 pitches Thursday for Double-A Tennessee.

Mets: SS Francisco Lindor (flu-like symptoms) was 0 for 1 before exiting after the second inning. Lindor has missed just three out of a possible 354 games since the start of 2022. … Marte, who didn’t play Tuesday after being activated from the bereavement list, went 0 for 4 in his first action since Friday. … RHP Kodai Senga (shoulder) felt good after throwing live batting practice Monday and is slated to do so again Saturday

UP NEXT

The four-game series concludes Thursday when Mets RHP Adrian Houser (0-3, 8.37 ERA) opposes Cubs RHP Ben Brown (0-1, 4.30 ERA).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets' Starling Marte tosses his bat after striking out to end the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Cubs' Dansby Swanson (7) slides past New York Mets' Jeff McNeil (1) to steal second base during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Cubs' Héctor Neris pitches during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. The Cubs won 1-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso (20) slides to home plate as Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya (9) catches the ball during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. After further review Alonso was called out on the play. The Cubs won 1-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong loses control of the ball hit by New York Mets' J.D. Martinez for a double during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. The Cubs won 1-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Héctor Neris, left, celebrates with teammate Nico Hoerner after a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. The Cubs won 1-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

New York Mets' Pete Alonso (20) slides to home plate as Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya (9) catches the ball during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. After further review Alonso was called out on the play. The Cubs won 1-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Cubs catcher Miguel Amaya celebrates as New York Mets' Pete Alonso, center, reacts after being called out at home plate on a fly out by Jeff McNeil to end the baseball game, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. The Cubs won 1-0. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Cubs pitcher Shota Imanaga, of Japan, throws out New York Mets' Starling Marte at first base during the third inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Chicago Cubs' Shota Imanaga, of Japan, pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)