American
defenseman Jordan Gross, 30, has signed a one-year contract with
Traktor Chelyabinsk, the
KHL club announced on Friday. Gross played his first season in
Europe last season in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, where he recorded 42
points in 77 regular-season and playoff games.
“In his first KHL season after arriving from overseas, he proved
that the increased attention was fully justified – sixth in in
scoring among defensemen in the league and an excellent plus/minus
are proof of that,” said Traktor GM Alexei Volkov. “Gross has a
high hockey IQ, moves the puck well, and is capable of playing both
on the boards and in open ice. With his arrival, the Traktor defense
gets an established professional, ready to solve serious problems.”
Traktor Chelyabinsk finished first in the KHL’s Eastern
Conference last year and was tied for third-best in goals against, so
the team does not necessarily have serious defensive problems to
solve.
Undrafted upon completing four years at the
University of Notre Dame, Gross signed with the Arizona Coyotes
late in the 2017-18 season and was immediately assigned to the Tucson
Roadrunners of the AHL. Between 2018 and 2014, Gross has spent most
of his time in the AHL
but has also played 25 NHL games with the Coyotes, Colorado
Avalanche and Nashville
Predators.
Traktor’s roster includes veteran ex-New
Jersey Devil Vladimir Zakharov and prospects Arseni
Koromyslov (St.
Louis Blues), Semyon Der-Arguchintsev (Toronto
Maple Leafs), Matvei Guskov (Minnesota
Wild) and Vasili Glotov (Buffalo
Sabres).
Photo © Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images
Former NHL D-Man Mark Friedman Signs Two-Year Deal In Sweden
Canadian defenseman Mark Friedman, 29, has signed a two-year contract
to play for Rögle BK, the
SHL club announced on Thursday.
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