NHL Draft’s top pick Nail Yakupov expects to have Kontinental Hockey League suspension lifted soon
Nail Yakupov, who made headlines few months ago after getting selected first overall in the 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) draft and then few days ago again made headlines when he was suspended from playing in native country’s hockey league, expects to
have his ban lifted soon.
Yakupov revealed on his twitter account as he wrote, “"Everything will be worked out in the near future & I will once again continue to play for my hometown club Neftekhimik."
The 18-year-old teenager had opted to go to his hometown to play hockey the lockout of NHL but he was barred from playing in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) after two matches because he did not have transfer card, permission to play from Canada.
International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) stopped him for the time being but the player is very much hopeful that he would be eligible to play in Russia very soon after getting the clearance from Hockey Canada, as a player needs to have his transfer card
signed him, the country where he is going and the country where he is coming from and a signature from North American country remains the only hurdle.
The Nizhnekamsk, Russia born player, who is back to hometown to play for his native team Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk, is associated with Canada as he was drafted by Edmonton Oilers, side from Western Conference of NHL.
The promising youngster was picked up first overall in the draft on 22nd June 2012 and then signed by the team one day later in an entry level contract for three years.
Oilers assigned him to play for their Ontario Hockey League (OHL) affiliates Sarnia Sting but he chose to return to his home country, which might well be causing the ongoing trouble for him.
The 5-foot-11, 185 pounder, right winger had started his hockey career with his home city’s junior hockey side at the age of 15 and moved to Canada at the age of 16. He was signed by OHL’s Sarnia Sting and he made a great success to his hockey career in
Canada as he scored more than 100 points in the very first season.
His first season comprised of 49 goals and 52 assists, 101 points in 62 games and then followed it up by scoring 69 points in 42 games, 31 of them being goals and 38 being assists.
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