The Washington Capitals announced on Friday that they’re loaning 2019 third-round pick Aliaksei Protas to the KHL to begin next season. Protas will suit up for Dinamo Minsk, which is located in his home country of Belarus.
The Caps added that they expect to recall the mammoth forward back to North America either for the start of the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) 2020-21 season or Capitals’ Training Camp.
By Ian Oland 12 months ago
After reports surfaced Thursday that he was close to signing a deal in the KHL, former Capital Brendan Leipsic agreed to terms on a two-year contract with KHL CSKA Moscow on Friday. Leipsic’s agent, Sergey Isakov of Newport Sports Management, confirmed the news to Sport Express.
According to a report, Leipsic asked his agents to find him a team in Russia.
CSKA was the top team in the Tarasov Division last season before the coronavirus pandemic ended the postseason early. CSKA won the Gargarin Cup in 2018-19 and had made the KHL Finals three out of the last four seasons.
A source tells AllHockey.ru that former Capitals forward Brendan Leipsic is close to signing a deal with one of two potential KHL teams.
“In the near future, the forward should sign a contract with one of the unnamed league clubs,” the story says as translated into English.
The KHL announced the winners of its yearly awards on Monday after the coronavirus pandemic caused an abrupt end to the Russian league’s season.
A year after being let go by the Washington Capitals, Dmitrij Jaskin was named the KHL MVP after having a huge first season with Dynamo Moscow.
By Ian Oland 1 year ago
Longtime former Capital, Alex Semin, has signed a one-year extension with KHL Vityaz.
The former Young Gun, now 36 and a father of two, had another solid season in Russia, scoring 18 goals and 38 points in 50 games. Semin also served as Vityaz’s captain.
It will be the longest he’s played for the same team since he spent parts of three seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes from 2012-2015.
The KHL announced it has canceled the rest of the 2019-20 season due to the outbreak of COVID-19. The KHL had previously paused its postseason until April 10, which was currently in the second round.
“It is with a heavy heart that KHL has made this decision, however, the health and safety of all those involved in the League and its fans are of paramount importance,” the KHL said in a statement.
The KHL became the latest global hockey league to suspend its season due to the novel coronavirus on Tuesday.
The KHL has decided to pause its postseason until April 10 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19. According to Johns Hopkins, Russia has only 93 known cases so far.
The Kunlun Red Star will play the remainder of their KHL season in Russia due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to goaltending coach Dusty Imoo.
Kunlun were scheduled to play two more of their regular season games in Beijing, one on February 2 against CSKA Moscow and another on February 24 against Dinamo Riga. The February 2 game had already been postponed due to the celebration of the Chinese New Year from January 25 to February 2. Both games will now be played at a to-be-determined location in Russia.
By Donya Abramo 2 years ago
After being released from his professional try out by the Calgary Flames, Devante Smith-Pelly has found a new team. It is not in the NHL.
The Stanley Cup champion forward, according to R-Sport, will play for the Kunlun Red Star, a KHL team located in China.
Thirty-five-year-old Alex Semin is continuing his career in the Kontinental Hockey League this season and playing for HC Vityaz for the second straight year. After wearing an “A” for Vityaz during the 2018-19 campaign, Semin was officially announced as the captain days before the season.
He wore the captain’s “C” Monday in Vityaz’s regular-season opener against Traktor Chelyabinsk.
By Ian Oland 2 years ago
