Signings, summer hockey, cybersports
The KHL’s players will be returning to their clubs in a couple of weeks – and we already have news of 2025’s first pre-season tournament. Meanwhile, our teams continue to build their rosters. But it’s still holiday time for many, with some KHL stars showing off their gaming skills alongside some of Russia’s leading cyber-athletes.
New imports for Sibir
Sibir added two imports to its roster, signing up Canadian netminder Louis Domingue and American defenseman Chase Priskie. Domingue, 33, has 144 games in 10 NHL seasons, and a further 226 AHL appearances. He comes to Novosibirsk in place of Denis Kostin, who was unable to agree terms with the club. Domingue has been on the radar of KHL teams for some time, but Sibir was able to get the deal over the line this summer.
In addition to Domingue, Sibir acquired American defenseman Priskie. The 29-year-old joins from Hershey Bears in the AHL, where he was a Calder Cup champion in 2024. Last season he had 40 (14+26) points in 69 games, suggesting that he could be a two-way replacement for Trevor Murphy. The Florida native made four NHL appearances with the Panthers, but played most of his pro career in the AHL.
Joey Keane returns to Spartak
As well as new imports, some old friends are on their way back to the KHL. Defenseman Joey Keane came to Spartak when he was aged just 23. Back then he had a strong rookie season but struggled in his second year. After that, despite interest from Traktor, he went back home but the American could not force his way into NHL contention in San Jose. Following one season in the AHL, the two-way defenseman decided to come back to Spartak for a third campaign.
Pierrik Dube to Traktor
French international Pierrik Dube is the latest new arrival in Chelyabinsk, where Traktor continues to rebuild. The 24-year-old was born in Lyon but honed his skills as a junior in Canada. He won a QMJHL title as a youngster and gained some NHL experience with the Capitals, but played most of his hockey in the AHL and won a Calder Cup with Hershey Bears in 2024. His move to Traktor reunites him with Logan Day, another alum of that successful team. In Chelyabinsk, there are hopes that Dube can compensate for the loss of last season’s leading scorer Maxim Shabanov.
Smith replaces Gross in Minsk
The ripples from Steven Kampfer’s retirement continue to spread. The American’s departure prompted Traktor to sign Dinamo Minsk’s Jordan Gross. Now the Belarusians have moved to replace Gross with Ty Smith. The 25-year-old played eight games for Carolina in last season’s NHL but played most of the season with the Hurricanes’ farm club. As a junior he helped Canada win the U20 World Championship in 2020 and, a year later, was named among the NHL’s top rookies.
Belarus to host first pre-season tourney
It’s not long until the KHL returns for pre-season. And the first tournament of the summer is scheduled for Belarus, which hosts the Fonbet Minsk Cup. The four-team tournament sees Dinamo Minsk entertain Admiral, Lada and Metallurg. The action starts on Aug. 11 and concludes on Aug. 17. All six games are due to be streamed on KHL.tv.
Star Strike 2025
The annual KHL Star Strike cyber-sports tournament, which saw hockey stars team-up with pro cyber-athletes in a Counter Strike 2 tournament. The Grand Final saw Kapu v Kragu face Full Buy. In hockey terms, that meant Alexander Dergachyov (Neftekhimik), Vitaly Pinchuk (Dinamo Minsk) and Nikita Setdikov were lining up against Nikita Artamonov (Torpedo), Nikita Boyarkin (Barys) and Andrei Belozyorov (Neftekhimik). It took three rounds to separate the teams: Full Buy won the first 13-9, but Kapu v Kragu turned it around with 13-11 and 13-8 successes, with Pinchuk singled out as the most impressive hockey player in the event.
