WILMINGTON, Mass.There was finally some clarity on the Alex Khokhlachev To Russia with Love situation on Friday morning.
The Bruins 2011 second round pick will play for the KHLs Spartak club this coming season, and then will return back to the Bruins organization the following season. That became the new plan after Khokhlachev signed an entry-level rookie deal with the Bruins that becomes official on July 1.
If they hadnt signed Khokhlachev now, they would have been under the gun to sign him by June 1, 2013 in order to retain his rights.
Kokos year in Russia wont count toward the three-year contract with the Bruins, and instead wont be activated the following season when he returns to North American ready for pro hockey. The highly-skilled Russian forward showed his abilities while topping 30 goals in his first season for the OHL Windsor Spitfires, and was excellent after arriving in shape for last falls Bs training camp.
The 19-year-old will still take part in Bs training camp again this fall before heading back to Russia to be reunited with his father, Igor. The lacerated kidney Koko suffered while skating for the Spitfires at the end of last years junior hockey season is still affecting the Russian forward at development camp, but hes expected to make a full recovery by this falls full training camp.
Weve come to terms with Khokhlachev. Because of his injury he wont be taking any contact for seven or eight weeks, said Chiarelli. The plan is now for him to play in Russia. Hell attend our camp and then hell go to play in Russia for Spartak where his father is a manager.
After the one year hell be under his purview. His goal is still to play in the NHL and hes making strides toward that. What we decided with Koko is that its a unique set of circumstances with his dad being the manager there. We said its one year and back to North America. He felt it was the right move and so were going along with it and supporting it.