Sanctions coming after international ban breached by Flames prospect
Photo credit: Sportslogos.net
A defenseman with the Calgary Flames has violated the International Ice Hockey Federation's transfer ban rule by signing a new two-year deal in his home country
A 23-year-old prospect of the Calgary Flames has violated the International Ice Hockey Federation's ban on international transfers to Russia by signing a two-year contract in Russia while under contract to the Flames. The news was broken by Darren Dreger of TSN, who said it seems like Nikita Okhotyuk just doesn't care.
"Nikita Okhotyuk has signed a 2 year deal with CSKA. Clearly no concern with the intentional ban that remains in effect."
Okhotyuk was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the second round (61st overall) in the 2019 NHL entry draft. He was sent to the San Jose Sharks in the Timo Meier trade in February of 2023, and then dealt to the Calgary Flames for a fourth round pick in March of 2024. Okhotyuk played nine games on the blueline for the Flames, scoring an assist. He has played a total of 67 games in the NHL.
As for the ban on transfers, the IIHF recently released a decision in the case of Ivan Fedotov, who signed in the KHL for two seasons after signing with the Philadelphia Flyers. Similar sanctions are most likely coming for Okhotyuk. CSKA is the same team Fedotov signed with.
"Based on the evidence provided to the IIHF Disciplinary Board by the involved parties, a six-month suspension from playing at the club level (which shall be served upon his return from the NHL to any club under/within an IIHF Member National Federation jurisdiction) has been issued against Ivan Fedotov for his continued violation of his SPC and complete disregard for the IIHF's original four-month suspension.
Further with regards to the transfer violation, the International Ice Hockey Federation Disciplinary Board decided to implement a three-year suspension on Ivan Fedotov from playing in all IIHF Competitions as defined in Bylaw 1, which will include the Olympic Games.
Accordingly, and following the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) transfer violation, a 1,000,000 CHF (one million Swiss Francs) fine has been addressed to RIHF."
Further with regards to the transfer violation, the International Ice Hockey Federation Disciplinary Board decided to implement a three-year suspension on Ivan Fedotov from playing in all IIHF Competitions as defined in Bylaw 1, which will include the Olympic Games.
Accordingly, and following the Russian Ice Hockey Federation (RIHF) transfer violation, a 1,000,000 CHF (one million Swiss Francs) fine has been addressed to RIHF."
| POLL | ||
26 MAI | 106 ANSWERS Sanctions coming after international ban breached by Flames prospect You thoughts on the coming sanctions for Nikita Okhotyuk and CSKA in this situation | ||
| Punish them | 30 | 28.3 % |
| Will it really make a difference? | 44 | 41.5 % |
| I'm not sure | 32 | 30.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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