Canadian bachelor with Italian roots joins Lokomotiv

In early July, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv announced their first newcomer. The reigning champion«s roster was bolstered by 30-year-old Canadian forward Giovanni Fiore. The hockey player is expected to arrive in Yaroslavl in August for team training.

What is known about the athlete and why he is attractive to the team and fans — in a report by 76.RU.

Canadian with Italian roots

Giovanni Fiore was born on 13 August 1996 in the Canadian city of Laval, located in the province of Quebec. The Canadian has Italian roots from his grandparents, who immigrated to Canada. Giovanni«s father, Tony Fiore, was a professional hockey player and even was selected in the National Hockey League (NHL) draft, and also played for the Italian national team. The younger Fiore started playing hockey in his hometown. Giovanni played for the Laval Patriots. At a time when he had to choose between playing with a puck or a ball, it was his father who convinced his son not to quit hockey and to stay in this sport.

«When I was 13-14 years old, I had to choose between hockey and soccer. I said, »Dad, I want to continue playing soccer,« to which my father replied, »No, you will play hockey,«» Fiore recalled.

Played in America and Germany

In 2017, the forward signed a three-year contract with the California club Anaheim Ducks. In the Ducks system, Fiore spent two years, mainly playing in the American Hockey League (AHL) and the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). In the NHL over that time, the hockey player played only one game.

In 2020, Giovanni Fiore made an important decision. For the first time in his sports career, the forward went to Europe, where he became a player for the German club Eisbären Berlin. In the German championship, the hockey player played for three seasons. Fiore won the German league championship title twice with his team. During his time in Germany, the forward played in 154 games and recorded 94 (49+45) points.

«I am a big power forward who can score goals. I handle the puck quite well, and I also work defensively. I am a two-way player, focused on both offense and defense,» Fiore described his playing style.

Move to Vladivostok and KHL career

After three seasons in Germany, Fiore decided to move to the farthest point on the KHL map. In June 2023, Admiral Vladivostok announced a contract with the Canadian hockey player.

«I told my agent that I would like to move to Russia and play in the KHL. He helped me find options to continue my career. Overall, negotiations with Admiral did not take long,» Fiore said about his move to Russia.

In the Primorsky Krai club, the hockey player spent a year and a half. In 95 games, the forward scored 17 goals and provided 26 assists to his teammates. During the 2024/2025 season, the forward was traded to Avangard Omsk.

In Omsk, the forward played for two seasons. The most successful for Giovanni was the 2025/2026 championship, where during the Gagarin Cup playoffs he was one of the leaders of his team. His line with fellow Canadian MacLeod and Russian Okulov was one of the most effective among all playoff teams. However, Fiore and Avangard were unable to reach the country«s main hockey trophy.

How much Fiore will be paid in Yaroslavl

During the 2026 offseason, the Omsk club made several signings, thereby filling all five foreign player spots. There was no place in the main lineup for Giovanni Fiore. The question even arose of the Canadian possibly obtaining Russian citizenship so that he would not be tied to a foreign player vacancy.

«We already have the foreign player quota filled. No matter how much we wanted to keep Giovanni, that»s the problem. I think he is working on obtaining citizenship, but it«s a slow process, a serious state matter. And it»s unknown how long it will drag on,« Avangard»s general manager said during the offseason.

Avangard indeed did not delay the issue with Giovanni Fiore, announcing on 24 June the departure of the Canadian forward. Exactly a week later, Lokomotiv announced Giovanni as a newcomer to the team. The hockey player signed a two-year agreement with the Yaroslavl club.

According to a source, the Canadian«s salary at the new club will be 45 million rubles per year ($500,000 at current rates). Of this, 38 million rubles ($422,200 at current rates) will be paid through a commercial contract, and this amount will not count toward the overall team salary cap.

Starting from the 2026/27 season, the KHL introduced a benefit in the salary cap that will be formed from players« commercial contracts. In addition to the 950 million rubles ($10,555,600 at current rates), clubs can spend an additional 50 million rubles ($555,600 at current rates) by utilizing commercial contracts.

After signing the contract with the champion club, the hockey player has already greeted Lokomotiv fans.

«Hello, Lokomotiv fans! This is Giovanni Fiore. I am very happy to join such a wonderful club. I can»t wait to come to Yaroslavl and meet everyone. Take care, see you soon,« said the hockey player.

A bachelor is coming to us

Despite being a bachelor, Giovanni Fiore is very attentive to his family and loved ones, as well as his Italian roots. From childhood, he learned the Italian language, customs, and traditions. In an interview, the athlete admitted that during his career in Europe, he visited Italian cities many times, in particular Rome and Milan, calling them his favorite places in the world. After moving to Russia, the hockey player also became close to this country.

«Citizenship? I would definitely think about it. I already have dual citizenship, but I would consider a Russian passport as well,» Fiore said during his first KHL season.

Among his hobbies, Fiore mentions: watching shows, reading books, walks, and going to the banya (Russian bathhouse). The hockey player also practices cooking. In Omsk, he cooked pasta together with an Italian chef. Fiore«s Avangard teammates highly appreciated Giovanni»s culinary skills. Most of his time, the Canadian devotes to his physical fitness and preparation for games.

By the way, on 2 August, a celebration will take place at the Arena-2000 in honor of May«s Gagarin Cup victory. There will be a show and honoring of the hockey players.