Friday, December 7, 2012

Thunderbirds acquire elite forward

Press Release

Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. (Dec. 3, 2012) – In their campaign to defend last season’s league, playoff and Dudley-Hewitt Cup championships, the Soo Thunderbirds recently added more depth to its roster. Last week, the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League team picked up 1992 forward Yan Kalashnikov.

Hailing from Minsk, Belarus, the eastern European skater was acquired from the Nipawin Hawks, of the Saskatchewan Jr. Hockey League, where he generated 10 points in 20 games this year. Kalashnikov played last season with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, of the British Columbia Hockey League, where he logged 35 points in 36 games.

“Yan is an elite forward,” said Thunderbirds general manager Kevin Cain. “He’s a very skilled skater and a proven scorer. We are thrilled that we were fortunate enough to land him.”

Kalashnikov, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 170 pounds, is expected to be in the Thunderbirds’ lineup later this week. In addition to this player acquisition, the club released both Josh Borgen and Matt Thomas.



(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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