Barys, Dragons load up. Top transfers
The Kazakhs signed a new goalie and a forward from North America, Traktor inks a physical winger, while the Shanghai Dragons keep on getting new players for the upcoming 2026-2027 campaign. KHL.ru presents the top transfers from last week
Justin Bailey, F
From San Diego Gulls to Barys
Barys add plenty of North American experience by signing Justin Bailey to a one-year contract. The 31-year-old winger arrives after a productive AHL campaign with the San Diego Gulls, where he recorded 42 (25+17) points in 66 regular-season games. A former second-round NHL Draft pick by Buffalo, Bailey has played 141 NHL games with the Sabres, Philadelphia, Vancouver, and San Jose, registering 23 (10+13) points. Known for his size, speed, and physical style, the American forward will make his KHL debut as Barys look to strengthen their attack for the new season.
Hunter Shepard, G
From the Laval Rocket to Barys
Barys reinforce their goaltending by signing Hunter Shepard, who arrives with an outstanding AHL CV. The 30-year-old netminder spent last season in the Ottawa and Montreal organizations, finishing the campaign with the Laval Rocket after starring for the Hershey Bears, one of the AHL’s premier development clubs. Hershey has become a familiar pathway to the KHL in recent years, with several players from the organization making the move every summer. Shepard was the Bears’ starting goalie during their back-to-back Calder Cup triumphs in 2023 and 2024, earning the Jack A. Butterfield Trophy as the 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs MVP. He was also named to the AHL First All-Star Team in 2023-2024, bringing championship pedigree and proven consistency to Barys.
Nathan Legare, F
From the Utica Comets to Traktor
Traktor continue to strengthen their North American contingent by signing Nathan Legare from the New Jersey Devils organization. The 25-year-old winger spent last season primarily with the AHL’s Utica Comets, where he totaled 28 (17+11) points in 70 regular-season games. A former third-round NHL Draft pick by Pittsburgh, Legare has built a reputation as a hard-working power forward with a heavy shot and a physical edge. His arrival follows Traktor’s appointment of a North American head coach earlier this summer, Scott Gordon, adding another player familiar with the North American style as the Chelyabinsk club continues to shape its new-look roster.
William Reilly, D
From the Shanghai Dragons to Spartak
Spartak add defensive depth by signing William Reilly, who moves to Moscow on a two-year deal after spending the previous season with the Shanghai Dragons. The 28-year-old Canadian defenseman made his KHL debut in the 2024-2025 campaign and quickly established himself as a reliable two-way blueliner. Before joining the KHL, Reilly played in North America, featuring in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals and the Iowa Wild, while also gaining international experience with Ceske Budejovice in the Czech league. With his skating ability, puck-moving skills, and experience in different leagues, Reilly is expected to strengthen Spartak’s defensive unit ahead of the new season.
Turner Ottenbreit, D
From the Calgary Wranglers to the Shanghai Dragons
The Shanghai Dragons bring back Turner Ottenbreit, who returns to the KHL after two seasons in North America. The 29-year-old defenseman previously played in the league with Kunlun Red Star during the 2023-2024 campaign, appearing in 64 games and recording 8 (1+7) points. He also led the team in hits (110) and was among the best in blocked shots (103), ranking among the KHL’s top defensemen in hits that season.
After his KHL stint, Ottenbreit returned to the AHL, where he spent the 2025-2026 season with the Calgary Wranglers. He posted 13 (3+10) points in 57 regular-season games, continuing his role as a reliable defensive presence. With size, physicality, and experience already in the league, the Canadian blueliner gives Shanghai another proven option on defense.
Ivan Prosvetov, G
From the Calgary Wranglers to Avangard
Avangard have added a new option between the pipes by signing Ivan Prosvetov from the Calgary Wranglers. To complete the move, the Omsk club first acquired the goalie’s KHL rights from CSKA in a trade. The 27-year-old netminder spent the previous season in the AHL, where he shared the crease with several players who are also moving to the KHL this summer, including defenseman Turner Ottenbreit, as well as other former Wranglers teammates heading overseas.
A former fourth-round NHL Draft pick by Arizona, Prosvetov has played 13 NHL games with the Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche. He also has KHL experience, having appeared in 10 games for CSKA during the 2023-2024 season. With his size and North American experience, Prosvetov is expected to compete for a strong role in Avangard’s lineup.
Mason Millman, D
From Bakersfield Condors to Lada
Lada continues to build their roster for the upcoming season by signing defenseman Mason Millman from the Bakersfield Condors. The 24-year-old Canadian blueliner spent the previous campaign in the AHL, where he recorded 17 (4+13) points in 61 regular-season games. With Millman’s arrival, Lada now has four foreign players confirmed for the 2026-2027 season. The Togliatti club has already used most of its available foreign slots as it continues to strengthen its lineup ahead of the new campaign.
