Latest news with #FinnishLiiga
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4 days ago
- Sport
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Former Habs Prospect Moves From Finland To Germany
Canadian center Peter Abbandonato, 27, has signed a one-year contract with ERC Ingolstadt, the DEL club announced on Monday. Last season, his first playing in Europe, Abbandonato led Finnish Liiga club Jukurit with 51 points in 61 games. 'Peter has already impressed in the minor leagues in North America and has also showcased his skills in his first season in Europe,' said Ingolstadt sports director Tim Regan. 'He has a good understanding of the game and strong skating skills. He is primarily used as a center, but can also play on the wings, which gives us even more versatility.' 'I'd been in contact with Tim for some time, and we had very good discussions; however, the opportunity to return to the AHL also presented itself,' said Abbandonato. 'Ultimately, it was important to me to carefully consider my options and make the best decision. After intensive discussions, I chose Ingolstadt, because I think the conditions here are right for success.' Born in Laval, Que., Abbandonato played junior hockey for the QMJHL's Rouyn-Noranda Huskies and took part in two Memorial Cups. In 2018-19, he recorded 111 points in 68 regular-season games, followed by 32 points in 21 post-season games as the Huskies won the Memorial Cup. Undrafted, Abbandonato has spent the past five seasons in the minor-league systems of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens, Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins. He has recorded 123 points in 214 AHL games and 51 points in 49 ECHL games. Abbandonato's 6-Point Game Gives Jukurit Lead In Finnish Playout Series With just 12 regulation wins in 60 games, Jukurit Mikkeli finished last in the 16-team Finnish Liiga. The team is now in the midst of a best-of-seven playout series with the 15th-place Lahti Pelicans, with the loser facing a relegation series against the winner of the second-tier Mestis. Highlights of Abbandonato's season in Finland included a four-point effort in the team's season-opening 7-3 victory and a six-point game in a play-out series against the Lahti Pelicans, in which Jukurit successfully avoided relegation. 'First and foremost, I would describe myself as an offensive playmaker, but it's also important to me to be a reliable player in all zones,' Abbandonato described. He joins an Ingolstadt team that finished first in last year's DEL regular season but was eliminated by Kölner Haie in the semifinals. Thanks to that first-place finish, however, Ingolstadt has qualified for the Champions Hockey League in 2025-26. The team's roster also includes ex-NHLers Riley Barber, Kenny Agostino and Morgan Ellis. Photo © Jamie Germano / USA TODAY NETWORK. Ex-Hab, Canadian Olympian Signs Contract Extension In Germany ERC Ingolstadt finished first in the DEL regular season and, with the playoffs about to start, announced on Friday that an important piece of this year's team will be returning in 2025-26, in the form of Canadian defenseman Morgan Ellis.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Sabres First-Rounder Signs With Sparta Prague
Canadian defenseman Mark Pysyk, 33, has signed a one-year contract with Sparta Prague, the Czech Extraliga club announced on Thursday. The former NHLer is coming off a season where he helped SaiPa to the Finnish Liiga finals. 'Last season was my first in Europe and I didn't know what to expect, but the SaiPa fans were incredible,' said Pysyk. 'I know Sparta has a huge arena and a huge and loyal fan base, so I can't wait to get there and feel the energy, especially when the playoffs come.' 'He is an experienced defenseman with excellent skating and passing,' said Sparta director of hockey operations Tomáš Divíšek. 'If not for an unfortunate injury, he might still be a stable NHL defenseman.' Originally from Sherwood Park, Alta., Pysyk played junior hockey for the hometown Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL and was chosen in the first round, 23rd overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. From 2012 to 2022, Pysyk played 521 NHL regular-season games for the Sabres, Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars, recording 104 points and 152 penalty minutes. He also played four playoff games for Florida in the 2020 Eastern Conference playoff bubble in Toronto. Former Sabres First-Rounder Signs in Finland Canadian defenseman Mark Pysyk, 32, has signed a contract to play the remainder of the current season with SaiPa Lappeenranta, the Finnish Liiga club announced on Thursday. In the summer of 2022, Pysyk signed with the Detroit Red Wings. However, a short time later, he underwent surgery to repair a torn Achilles' tendon and missed the season. Pysyk spent the 2023-24 season in the AHL with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Calgary Wranglers, recording four assists in 43 regular-season and playoff games combined. In September 2024, he attended the training camp of the Anaheim Ducks on a PTO. In November 2024, Pysyk signed to play the remainder of the season with SaiPa in the Finnish Liiga. He recorded 17 points in 56 regular-season and playoff games as SaiPa reached the finals. Last season, Sparta finished first in the Extraliga regular season but was eliminated in the semifinals by eventual champion Kometa Brno. In addition to Pysyk, the team has under contract for 2025-26 numerous ex-NHLers, including captain Vladimír Sobotka, Michal Kempný, Miikka Salomäki, Filip Chlapík and goaltender Josef Kořenář, whose NHL rights are retained by the Utah Mammoth. There Will Be A New Czech Champion - Třinec's 5-Year Reign Ended By Sparta After five long years, Oceláři Třinec's reign as Extraliga champion is over, following the team's quarterfinal defeat at the hands of Sparta Prague before a sellout crowd of 17,220 at O2 Arena on Monday.
