It is going to be a long off season for Minnesota Wild fans as we watch for Kirill Kaprizov to hit the states. On Thursday a story broke that Kirill had used a false Russian military badge and was wanted by the government for not serving his mandatory military obligation.
Another Russian player, newly signed goalie Ivan Fedotov, was arrested July 1st for also reportedly using a fake military ID. Reports from Russian stated that he was hospitalized for “stress induced gastritis”, however, word is that he had been drugged when taken. Ivan now is in the artic and serving in their Navy. No word has come out about him since he was sent to this base in Severomorsk. This is the administrative base for the Russian navy’s northern fleet. He had just signed with the Flyers for 1 year at 1.1 million dollars and looking at being the number 2 goalie in the 22-23 season.
Now back to Kirill. Although he seemed fine when posting a pic with his surgeon on the 1st of July, word was starting to trickle out that there could be a problem with Kirill leaving his home country of Russia. The first reports said that he was wanted for not fulfilling his requirements and using the fake ID but had made it to the states. Then the Wild PR and Michael Russo said that he was not in the states but still in Russia with his family and friends. Billy G said that he not going to “push the panic button” yet.
Todays news is just as disturbing regarding Kirill. It’s being reported that he has made at least two attempts to leave Russia. Once by going through Dubai, where he did not make it through US Customs. He had also tried to go through a Caribbean country which also failed.
Kirill Kaprizov had a Wild franchise record breaking season in 21-22 as well as winning the Caulder Award for his rookie year at the Wild. He has generated fun and excitement in a franchise that needed a boost. This young gun plays because he loves the game and is a generational talent that this team will build around for many years to come. At 25 he has a 5 year / 45 million dollar deal. Our prayers are with all these Russian athletes and their families as their home country is in turmoil.
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