THE SIDELINES : Red Wings’ Rookie Wins Visa

The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service granted a three-year work visa to Detroit rookie Sergei Fedorov, allowing the Soviet center to play in all games this season in the United States and Canada.

Fedorov, 20, starred for four seasons with the Soviet Red Army team and was Detroit’s fourth pick, 74th overall, in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. The Red Wings signed him to a five-year contract on July 24, a few days after Fedorov left the Soviet team during the Goodwill Games in Seattle.

Fedorov remains a Soviet citizen and has not defected. He played in only one exhibition game with Detroit before he obtained the visa Monday.