Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Ivan Fedotov has been arrested in Russia on alleged military evasion

A would-be Philadelphia Flyers goaltender has reportedly been arrested in Russia for allegedly evading military service

Ivan Fedotov, 25, was taken into custody in St. Petersburg on Friday, months after he signed an entry-level contract with the Flyers in May, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported, citing Russia’s Fontanka news agency.

According to the Russian newspaper, Fedotov was taken to the Russian Military Registration and Recruitment Service by the State Criminal Investigation Department. A previous report suggested law enforcement agencies were actively searching for the hockey player in St. Petersburg.

In response to Fedotov’s incarceration, Flyers GM Chuck Fletcher said Friday that the team was aware of the situation but the organization had “no further comment at this time.”

Fedotov led CSKA Moscow to a Continental Hockey League championship last year and the Russian Olympic Committee to a silver medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

CSKA Moscow is owned by the Russian government and its players are considered military personnel, according to the Inquirer. The team, dubbed the Red Army Team, has previous ties to the Soviet Army.

CSKA may be trying to hold on to its best goalie by twisting Russia’s military service law as he is officially considered a military man, the Inquirer reported.

The Flyers had hoped the star player could join the team and compete for a spot in the 2022-23 season, the newspaper said.