“We talked more about how to return to hockey in general, not to lose form and to be in good shape during military service” – CSKA goalkeeper coach on correspondence with Fedotov

goalkeeper coach CSKA Sergei Naumov, in an interview with , told how he kept in touch with the goalkeeper Ivan Fedotov while serving in the army.

Fedotov signed a rookie contract with Philadelphia in July 2022, but was drafted into the military for a year. After returning from service, he signed a two-year contract with CSKA. On Saturday, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) announced that it had registered Fedotov’s contract with CSKA.

– When Fedotov served in the army for a whole year, did you keep in touch with him?

– It was not easy, Ivan was not always available. You can send him a message and get a response after a while. We communicated periodically. I won’t say this continuously, but we’ve been messaging each other – both by voice and by correspondence. Communication became less in the spring, when Fedotov was already training, if possible, went to the ice.

– Did you have a conversation about what Fedotov should do – go to the NHL or return to CSKA?

– No, they talked more about how to return to hockey in general. Don’t lose shape, be in shape during your military service. I guess the person was met halfway, allowing them to practice.

And we didn’t specifically discuss where to go after the army. The fact that Fedotov returns to CSKA, I learned from the news. Ivan could make any decision on his own, because he was interested. But we talked about how he wants to come back, play hockey faster, get back in the mood.

– As Fedotov said about himself: “I am now in such good shape as never before.” It is clear that he is inspired.

Every situation should be turned to your advantage. I understand that Vanya did. He looks to the future with a positive attitude,” Naumov told .