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Kovalev, Sopel head to KHL
By
QMI Agency
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  Alex Kovalev. (MARTIN CHEVALIER/QMI Agency) |
Alex Kovalev has taken his puck and gone home.
The enigmatic former Ottawa and Montreal forward signed a two-year contract with Atlant Mytishchi of the Kontinental Hockey League Friday, ending an NHL career that saw him record 428 goals and 596 assista in 1,302 games.
“We have long fought for Kovalev and very glad that we could still come to terms with such a talented striker,” Atlant general manager Andrew Ropes said.
Kovalev, 38, signed with the Senators in 2009 but was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins at the deadline last season. In 74 games, he had 16 goals and 18 assists.
Free agent defenceman Brent Sopel will join Kovalev in the KHL, signing a two-year deal with Metallurg Novokuznetsk Friday.
“Two years in the KHL! So excited for this new opportunity!” Sopel said on his Twitter account.
Sopel, 35, had two goals and five assists in 71 games with Atlanta and Montreal last season. He was traded to the Canadiens in late February but failed to record a point in 12 games.
