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Entries with the tag: Joel+Kwiatkowski

Kwiatkowski Back To Russia

by Paul on 07/10/09 at 09:27 AM ET
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from Jeff Z. Klein of Slap Shot at the NY Times,

The Russians were right.

Defenceman Joel Kwiatkowski, who was reported to have signed with the Atlanta Thrashers earlier this week, already has a two-year contract with SKA St. Petersburg and will return to Russia to play for SKA this season.

“After agreeing to terms on a contract with Joel Kwiatkowski, we learned that he had already committed to a team in the K.H.L.,” said Atlanta general manager Don Waddell in response to an e-mail inquiry late Thursday. “Therefore we have rescinded our offer and have been told that Joel will honor his agreement with St. Petersburg.”

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Atlanta Thrashers | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Joel+Kwiatkowski, KHL,

KHL Claims NHL Broke Agreement

by Paul on 07/08/09 at 07:48 AM ET
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via RussiaToday,

A major row over transfers has erupted between the two biggest ice hockey leagues in the world. The KHL claims the NHL has reneged on an agreement not to poach players.

Canadian Joel Kwiatkowski has agreed to join the Atlanta Thrashers next season despite having already signed a two-year deal to play for SKA St Petersburg.

This is the first such precedent after the International Ice Hockey Federation introduced its new rules concerning player transfers. The move was dubbed “a non-aggression to Northern America pact” as it banned clubs in Europe from signing North American players on contract. In return, the NHL promised not to poach European players under contract.

The KHL says that breaks a gentleman’s agreement between the two leagues.

KHL president Alexander Medvedev says he’ll now call on the International Ice Hockey Federation to act.

Filed in: NHL Teams, Atlanta Thrashers | KK Hockey | Permalink
 Tags: Joel+Kwiatkowski, KHL,