Shimon Shemberg, who previously spoke on behalf of the International Ice Hockey Federation, indicated on social media that the goaltender Ivan Fedotov from CSKA Moscow was being leveraged as a bargaining chip in a dispute over his contract terms.
A Hmura of restraint was implied as he suggested that Fedotov faces a constrained choice due to sanctions and the broader tensions between governing bodies and professional leagues. He argued that the player cannot move freely abroad, leaving him with the option to continue his career with CSKA under the present conditions.
The discussion also revisits the sanctions imposed by the IIHF, which had targeted CSKA with a one-season ban on international transfers and restricted Fedotov from participating in international competition through December 31, 2023. These measures followed the army club’s move to sign Fedotov despite holding a contractual agreement with the Philadelphia Flyers, a situation that drew attention from the sport’s regulatory community and fans alike.
Additionally, the former spokesperson suggested a broader reevaluation of the KHL, hinting that the league might be viewed by some as operating outside commonly accepted norms of governance and competition within the sport. This perspective underscores ongoing debates about governance, player movement, and integrity across major hockey leagues.