“The guys in the locker room call me ‘Big Ivan.’ Two-meter goalie Fedotov talked about his NHL debut

The first stop is Barzal, and the stands are delighted!

As always, everything moves quickly with Ivan Fedotov. Even before he realized that CSKA had terminated his contract by mutual agreement and Vanya had left for North America, he was already playing for Philadelphia!

In a home game against the New York Islanders, he came on in the second period when teammate Samuel Ersson allowed two goals on six shots (66.7% saves).

And now the two-meter (202 cm) Fedotov goes out on the ice. New league, debut, we don’t really know what to expect. And then the Islanders’ top scorer, Mathew Barzal, flies toward his goal. And “one to zero”!

Well, what can you do? Fedotov made an impressive save. The stands at the Wells Fargo Center roared with joy.

Of course, a cracker or victory in the first-ever NHL game would be like a fairy tale. But at the end of the second period, Fedotov was marked by sniper Anders Lee, who corrected the shot of former CSKA defender Alexander Romanov. However, Philadelphia heroically sent the game to overtime, but they missed their defense and Brock Nelson literally shot into Fedotov’s goal with his shot. In such an episode it was almost impossible to save.

Philly head coach John Tortorella swore after the game, “We only had one goalie play today. Fedotov’s debut is amazing, but this guy was too busy! How long will we continue to show our gentleness?

However, Philadelphia currently sits in third place in the Metropolitan Division, securing a playoff spot. And if Fedotov continues to play like this, he will become number one in the “drivers” category.

Immediately after the match, Ivan gave an interview to , sharing his emotions. This is his NHL debut. History!

“It wasn’t enough for McDavid to reach my goal.”

— Ivan, were you supposed to leave during the match? Or did the beginnings happen suddenly?

– I prepared in my own way – there was a deployment, then I worked with non-players. The goalkeeper must always be ready, anything can happen. A spontaneous decision made by the coach – probably to boost the morale of the team, to change something.

After the match I supported Sam (co-goalkeeper Samuel Ersson). I told him this was the time when it didn’t matter who was playing – him or not. I respect him and Ersson deserves for him and Philly to stay together all season. And their current situation is due to his considerable merit.

It doesn’t matter who plays now – me or him. It’s important to go to the playoffs and do a great job for the team, for the future.

— Did the first save after Mathew Barzal’s shot, while the Philadelphia fans were screaming with joy, give you confidence?

– Well, such a moment, yes – symbolic, to be honest. I always have these extraordinary moments. So I wasn’t even surprised. Connor McDavid or Nathan MacKinnon probably should have immediately gone 1-0 to shoot first on my goal. Perhaps that would have only interrupted the impression of his NHL debut.

But nothing, everything that happens is for the best. Thank goodness I had a backup. I didn’t focus on confidence or anything else. He played at his own pace – pass after pass, throw after throw. I understood that I needed to give energy to the team. An opportunity for you and them to feel the game.

– ⁠Good save statistics (19/21, 90.5%) – yes, it’s unpleasant to lose in overtime, even if they scored a goal for themselves. But how do you rate your overall performance during those 38 minutes?

– It’s good ? It’s relative. And they scored two goals for me. We tried, credit to the guys, they did a great job, sending the game into overtime with 10 seconds left in the third period. We scored a goal playing six against five. From now on, every point is important to us, it is worth its weight in gold.

Losing in overtime is unpleasant. Of course, our NHL debut would have been absolutely perfect if we had scored in overtime. If only I could start with victory… But I accept this calmly: we must move forward step by step, rationally and without emotions.

The main thing is that the team continues in the same spirit, that it shows the same character in the remaining matches. The unit that has been visible in Philadelphia all season.

— Do you feel pressure because every point counts, because there is a very tough fight for the playoffs?

– No, that doesn’t put any pressure on me. I don’t focus on that. I already have the experience and understand that if you focus on this, it will be an extra weight on your shoulders. And there are already enough of them in some aspects.

I repeat, every point is priceless now as we fight for the playoffs. And the guys showed character and unity – I’m glad the team is good, all the guys are promising. A very cool team, they have a great future. The most important thing is that everyone is motivated. We have retained a very important point.

“In overtime, Varley said to me, ‘Hey, you should go!’

— You mixed up the goals in overtime. What did Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov tell you at that moment, and what do you think of this funny episode?

— I didn’t really delve into the details before the extension. It’s a different league here – I didn’t even think about whether they change goals here or not. I didn’t know what the concept was. So I stayed in the frame.

I look – Varley comes up and says, “Hey, you should go!” And it shows the other side of the site. I was like, “Wow, yeah? OK OK.” And he went calmly.

It doesn’t matter, haha. Just give people the opportunity, and they will be interested in any curiosity in their understanding. And I agree with that. I went there and that was it.

It doesn’t matter, now is the period when you learn everything, adapt – I usually react to this, proceeding from my experience that has already happened.

– What does it do ? — to be the greatest goaltender in NHL history?

– Cool, I guess! I don’t even know how to react here. I do not dwell on this fact. Good yes. By at least one indicator, he’s already made league history. Then you need to work and strive to achieve certain indicators in the game. We need to develop and strive for high goals. Cool! Where should we start? At least growth. Good start!

— Do they joke about your height in the locker room?

— Guys react like this: “Big guy!” or “Great Ivan!” (“Big guy” or “Big Ivan”). We have an incredible atmosphere. They laugh at people with kindness, but they treat them with respect.

— ⁠John Tortorella said after the match: “Fedotov’s debut is wonderful,” meaning he really enjoyed it. Are these words from Philadelphia’s head coach inspiring?

– To be honest, I don’t focus on that – of course, I’m very happy. And I respect the coach’s opinion. There are good matches and bad matches. Today it is like this, tomorrow it may be different. Each of us must make an effort for the team to win.

It’s good that they answer me this way when evaluating my work. Of course, our coach is a powerful motivator. Knows how to shake up and steer the team in the right direction. Even though I haven’t known Tortorella for long, this is my first impression.

I’m generally encouraged by how much I enjoy hockey and where I’m at right now. Of the very opportunity to play in the NHL for Philadelphia. This is the most important feeling I have right now.