Hockey

Compulsory military service: Canadiens’ prospect Arseni Radkov needs to sort it out
Charles-Alexis Brisebois
Compulsory military service: Canadiens’ prospect Arseni Radkov needs to sort it out
Credit: Getty Images

Arseni Radkov isn't the Canadiens' best-known prospect. The goaltender was selected in the third round (82nd overall) in 2025 by the Habs at the last draft. This year, the plan is for him to play with the Armada. In the last few days, he was present at the Canadiens' rookie camp. He even played a half-game at the Bell Centre when he came on Sunday to back up Jacob Fowler.

Normally, the goaltender who was traded back to his junior club on Sunday night would have simply taken the 15 to Blainville following the rookie camp, but he took a detour to his native Belarus instead.

According to Mikaël Lalancette, who wrote on the subject for Le Soleil newspaper, the Armada goaltender was forced to return home to deal with passport issues. His club preferred that he settle everything at home, to simplify the process. content-ads]

What Lalancette explains in his paper is that the Belarusian authorities feel that his current status does not give him permission to avoid compulsory military service.It's stories like these that are scary when it comes to relying on a player who grew up in a country with values different from Canada's, isn't it?#All this to say that Radkov, who had his head elsewhere at the rookie camp, will try to get out of it and return to Blainville as soon as possible. The fact that he played outside his country in recent years and that he only turned 18 last August are elements that work against him.

The Armada, who are also without their goaltender Jakub Milota (Nashville rookie camp), must be hoping that their Belarusian goaltender will be able to return as soon as possible to help the club… but above all to put the situation behind him. And let's just say that the Habs must also be hoping that he'll be able to return in the next few days and resolve the situation quickly. A big story to follow, then.

'en

– Wow. He's

– Nick Suzuki, an elite center? [BPM Sports] – He's making a name for himself,

facebook icon Share twitter icon Tweet linkedin icon Share
Copied!