2012 NHL Draft’s top pick Nail Yakupov faces suspension from playing in Kontinental Hockey League
Nail Yakupov, the overall top pick of the National Hockey League and one of the best emerging players in the world has now faced a setback as he has been stopped by International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)
in Russia.
The promising teenager had played two games in the Russian league after moving to his native country but according to Russian league officials, Yakupov has not been given a green signal yet completely so they have barred him from playing for the time being.
The Nizhnekamsk, Russia born player was assigned to play for Sarnia Sting by Edmonton Oilers, the team which picked him in the draft and signed him. But Yakupov chose to move to Russia without getting permission from Hockey Canada, who would have given him
permit after confirmation from Oilers.
According to the IIHF rules, the player gets the clearance/NOC (No Objection Certificate)/Transfer Card after it is signed by all three parties i.e. the player, the official body of country he has come from and the official body of country where he is going.
The International body of ice hockey published a statement regarding this issue, which said,
"The ITC was not signed by Hockey Canada and was thus not approved by the IIHF. Playing without an approved ITC following an international transfer request is a breach of IIHF transfer regulations. At this time, being that Hockey Canada did not approve Nail
Yakupov's ITC, his case is in appeal procedures. Until appeal procedures are complete and a decision regarding his transfer to Russia is made, an ITC will not be approved or denied by the IIHF."
Muslim, hailing from Tatar ethnic group, came back to the place where he made his professional hockey debut at the age of 15, in a minor hockey league, before moving to Canada where he had a brilliant first season in which he scored 100+ points by scoring
49 goals, 52 assists and 101 total points in just 65 games and followed it up by another good season in which he played 42 games and scored 31 goals, 38 assists for total of 69 points.
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