KHL teams keep on filling up their rosters
KHL.ru present the best recent moves on the international market. Dinamo Minsk, Sibir, and Traktor have been posting interesting moves of late.
Kodie Curran
From Metallurg to Dinamo Minsk
Seeking to strengthen its blueline following Joseph Duszak departure, the Belarusians opted for signing the veteran Canadian, who most recently lined up in 68 games for Metallurg last term. The Calgary, Alberta native, also lined up for teams in Denmark, Norway, and Sweden in his European career, serving as a valuable option on the blue line in Magnitogorsk in the 2022-2023 campaign. Curran, who had an impressive plus-9 differential in last year’s Gagarin Cup playoffs, will now most likely have an even more significant role in Minsk, as he will not only have to anchor the blue line and provide further scoring opportunities, but also serve as a mentor for the several young, domestic d-men that will get a chance next year.
Sam Anas
From Hershey Bears to Dinamo Minsk
Differently from Curran – a veteran on European ices – Anas will be at his first experience overseas, after winning the AHL Calder Cup with the Hershey Bears. Moreover, the forward, who has recently turned 30, was awarded Top Sportmanship award in 2022. After a successful career at the collegiate level, Anas went undrafted in the NHL, but had several excellent seasons in the AHL, topping the league in scoring in 2019-2020. Capable of playing both in the middle and on the flanks, Anas will bring offensive skills to the Minsk lineup, but it’s to be expected that he will need some time to find himself in a new challenge.
Yanni Kaldis
From Bakersfield Condors to Dinamo Minsk
The Quebecoise blueliner had already played in Europe, with a spell in the Austrian league back in 2020, but he mostly played at home in North America, with four years in the NCAA with the Cornell Big Red, and three seasons with the Bakersfield Condors of the AHL. After winning multiple awards at the collegiate level, Kaldis showcased a good eye for the pass with the Condors, as well as in Austria, and is expected to provide offensive production on the blue line for Minsk – maybe his past experience in Europe will help him in the initial stages of his new team.
Andy Andreoff
From Bridgeport Islanders to Sibir
Andreoff’s resume is somewhat similar to Anas’ – the 32-year-old has never played even one game outside of his native North America. However, differently from him, he has 188 NHL games under his belt, with 27 (14+13) points. Most of his NHL play came with the Los Angeles Kings, but he has also lined up with the Philadelphia Flyers and the New York Islanders. Known for his scoring and leadership abilities, Andreoff is expected to play a prominent role in Sibir. The forward, who led the AHL in goalscoring last term, is probably seen as David Nemirovsky’s first option in the middle.
Zach Fucale
From Hershey Bears to Traktor
A teammate of Anas last year in Hershey, Fucale also never played in Europe, even if he did sign a contract in Germany back in 2019-2020. Last year, Traktor filed to find consistency between the piping, with six goalies alternating for the Chelyabinsk franchise, including Andrew Hammond. Traktor hopes to fill the gap with Fucale, who started in Team Canada’s crease in 2015 WJC gold medal game won against Team Russia. The goalie, who also won the 2017 Spengler Cup wearing the Maple Leaf jersey, has signed a two-year deal with the Chelyabinsk franchise. With Fucale and Rob Hamilton in its lineup, Traktor still have an open import spot for the upcoming season.
