Sergei Fedorov making comeback at 43 years old, but why?

Sergei Fedorov was unwanted by the Washington Capitals, his last NHL club, and left for the KHL in 2009. Last time he played professionally was in 2012, when he suited up for 43 games in Magnitogorsk in the KHL.

Since then Fedorov then came back to CSKA, where his career started, and became general manager of the team.

He never officially retired though.

And now SovSport’s Pavel Lysenkov reports that Sergei Fedorov will lace them up again and will play this Friday for his CSKA against Metallurg Magnitogorsk, the last club he had a contract with, which is now coached by “Iron” Mike Keenan.

CSKA has been besieged by injuries, with virtually a third of first team players out injured. This is likely the reason for Fedorov’s return to hockey. But according to Fedorov himself, his “legs are still running. I’m training twice a week... But I am not closing the door.” Fedorov also implied that he had been training with Barry Brennan quite rigorously recently. Brennan is the team’s strength and conditioning coach, who did the same job in t. he NHL with the Columbus Blue Jackets. “You will not find another professional with his level of knowledge,” Fedorov said. “I tried it on my own skin the type of a coach he is.”

CSKA’s media relations representative told SovSport:

This is not the first time CSKA has been associated with a big name comeback. The legendary Slava Fetisov came out of retirement at the age of 51 to play one game for the club back in 2009. At the time, Fetisov was the club President.

Fedorov is not as old as Fetisov was at the time – he is only 43 (Teemu Selanne is only 7 months younger than Fedorov but is still playing at the highest level). It means that he may still have some gas left in his tank.

It is only a matter of when Fedorov GM signs Fedorov the player to satisfy the formalities.

According to Lysenkov, however, it is a certainty that Fedorov will play on Friday.