Gross’ four-point game and Leivo’s hat trick. Week 16 top imports
Jordan Gross ups his production, and Leivo nets another hat-trick, while Jaros increases his role within CSKA. KHL.ru presents the best players from each country.
USA
D, Dinamo Minsk, 3 G, 5 (2+3) points, +3
For the first time in his career, Jordan Gross was named the KHL’s Best Defenseman of the Week. The American blueliner delivered an outstanding performance, tallying 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) in just three games. Gross also posted a solid plus-3 differential, demonstrating his two-way reliability.
In addition to his offensive contributions, he added one hit, blocked five shots, and recorded a takeaway, showcasing his all-around game. The American blueliner posted a four-point performance in the Bisons Sunday’s win over Lokomotiv (4:1), with a double and a pair of helpers.
As the playoff qualification battle intensifies, Dinamo Minsk will rely heavily on Gross to maintain his stellar form and lead from the blue line.
Canada
F, Salavat Yulaev, 3 G, 4 (4+0) points, +4
For the second time in his KHL career, Joshua Leivo of Salavat Yulaev was named the league’s Best Forward of the Week. The Canadian winger had an exceptional week, scoring 4 goals in three games and posting a plus-4 differential. Leivo’s standout moment came on Wednesday against Amur, where he netted a hat-trick in a thrilling 5:4 OT victory. Earlier that week, in Monday’s 3:0 win over the same opponent, he sealed the deal by scoring the game-winning goal. Beyond his scoring exploits, Leivo also contributed defensively with one hit and a key pass interception.
As Salavat Yulaev battles to solidify its position atop the Eastern Conference, the team will continue to look to Leivo’s consistent offensive production and leadership on and off the ice.
Slovakia
D, CSKA, 3 G, 2 (0+2) points, +3
The Slovak defenseman had another good week with CSKA, with the Muscovites closing the year on an eleven-game winning streak. Jaros was a key part of the mechanism, posting two helpers in three games, with a plus-3 differential. He started the week with an assist in CSKA’s victory over SKA (6:5), then posted another helper and a plus-3 rating in the Muscovites’ road victory over HC Sochi on Sunday, in 2024’s last game (4:1). With the playoffs approaching, CSKA will count on Jaros to patrol the blue line and produce in the offensive zone as the team tries to climb up and stretch its winning streak in the new year.
