Ivan Fedotov Now Considered Flyers No. 2 Goalie; Earns Praise From Head Coach

John Tortorella doesn't mince words.

So when he confirmed that Ivan Fedotov has earned the role of the Flyers' No. 2 goaltender, it carried the weight of genuine respect—not only for Fedotov's recent play but for the remarkable journey that brought him here.

"I think it's a hell of a story for [Fedotov]. On a personal note, in my heart, I'm happy for the guy. He went through some stuff just to get here, and he's battled. You guys don't even know what happened last year in a couple of situations that I came down on a certain time...He's been a really good pro."

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Fedotov’s path to the NHL hasn’t been straightforward. The towering 6’7” netminder has always had the physical tools to succeed—a calm, composed presence in the crease and pretty quick reflexes for a player of his size. But his journey to Philadelphia was anything but smooth.

After years of honing his skills in Russia, Fedotov finally seemed poised to make the jump to the NHL in the summer of 2022. Then came the complications. Fedotov was detained in Russia and compelled to fulfill military service, a situation that delayed his NHL debut and cast doubt on whether he would ever make it to Philadelphia.

For Fedotov, it was a gut-wrenching setback, both professionally and personally. But when he finally joined the Flyers for the 2023-24 season, he didn’t let those challenges define him. Instead, he leaned on the same resilience and quiet determination that had carried him through so many trials.

"It's a pretty good story, honestly," Tortorella said. "I hope it continues to play out the proper way, but we've got to see more and more as we go through here when he gets this opportunity."

Coming into this season, Fedotov was thought to be the obvious choice for the backup role behind starter Sam Ersson. However, 22-year-old Belarusian netminder Aleksei Kolosov found himself getting an ample amount of NHL time, and Fedotov had been relegated to third-string. But while Kolosov’s future is still somewhat murky, Fedotov’s experience and steady improvement have earned him the edge to notch back into that backup role.

Fedotov’s recent performances have been a testament to that growth. In his limited appearances, he’s demonstrated poise and reliability, two qualities Tortorella values deeply. His ability to track the puck, absorb pressure, and make timely saves has given the Flyers confidence in their depth between the pipes.

"I don't know much about [coaching goalies]," Tortorella admitted. "I have conversations with [goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh] about it and you have to digest it because it just looks weird sometimes, but the damn guy is stopping the puck."

It’s clear that Fedotov’s story and his willingness to put his head and fight for the No. 2 spot resonates with Tortorella, who has always valued character and work ethic as much as talent. For a coach known for his demanding nature, moments like this highlight his ability to connect with his players on a deeper level.

"He got kicked to the curb at number three, shut his mouth—I remember I had one conversation with him; I said, 'I don't know where it goes,'" the Flyers head coach said. "And he spent I don't know how many weeks just skating up and down the boards, hoping to get in the net if one of the other goalies needed a spell during practice...He ate it and continued to work at his game."

For Fedotov, the journey isn’t over. There are still challenges to overcome, games to win, and a legacy to build. But for now, he’s taking it all in stride, quietly doing what he does best: showing up, putting in the work, and proving that he belongs.

And in John Tortorella’s eyes, there’s no question about it—Fedotov has earned his place.

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