Updated:Nail Yakupov Suspended From the KHL
Nail Yakupov has been suspended from playing in the KHL while the IIHF investigates his transfer to the Russian-based league.
The 18-year-old forward, who was picked first overall by the Edmonton Oilers earlier this year, has appeared in two games for his hometown Nizhnekamsk Neftekhimik during the NHL lockout. He was originally supposed to play for his OHL junior team, the Sarnia Sting.
The IIHF says he appeared in those games without having an approved transfer card, needed to compete overseas. Hockey Canada refused to sign off on Yakupov’s transfer because his rights belonged to the Sting.
UPDATE: Yakupov tweeted a statement about the whole affair. Translated by Dmitry Chesnokov: ”Everything will be worked out in the near future & I will once again continue to play for my hometown club Neftekhimik.”
UPDATE 2: “Hockey Canada and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation have announced that the OHL has determined that Yakupov had no independent legal advice when, at the age of 17 years old, he signed his contract with Sarnia,” a Hockey Canada statement read. “His release goes into effect immediately.”
Guess he gets to return to the KHL.
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September 26, 2012 - 2:05 pm
This could be an outstanding year for the OHL if the NHL lockout results in them keeping their star players on the team vs. the AHL or NHL. But those players have to actually play for their signed team, not pull stunts like Nail did.