Torpedo Makes Tough Call, Loses Goalie but Gains Two Players
The trade deal involved Torpedo acquiring players from Admiral in exchange for a goalie.
Nizhny Novgorod HC Torpedo has signed contracts with two new players – Dmitry Shugayev and Igor Geraskin – but said goodbye to goalie Ivan Kulbakov. This is the result of a trade with hockey club Admiral from Vladivostok. The changes were commented on by Torpedo«s general director Yevgeny Zabuga.
Forward Igor Geraskin brings extensive KHL experience and a history of leadership to Torpedo.
The club«s press service quoted Zabuga:
»The club has made a difficult decision regarding Ivan Kulbakov«s transfer, who needs regular playing time, especially considering that on June 1 he will become an unrestricted free agent. Initially, an exchange with one of the top clubs in the Eastern Conference was considered, but the terms could not be agreed upon. Ivan has accepted the situation with dignity and professionalism. For Torpedo, it is important to ensure the KHL debut of Nizhny Novgorod hockey product Dmitry Dagestansky, who has earned it with his work and attitude.»
Goaltender Dmitry Shugayev started his KHL career early and has represented Russia internationally.
27-year-old Igor Geraskin is an experienced KHL forward and one of the youngest captains in league history: at just twenty years old, he led Cherepovets« Severstal onto the ice as a leader. Twice, the hockey player became the team»s top scorer at the end of seasons, and as part of Magnitogorsk«s Metallurg, he won the Gagarin Cup.
In total in the KHL, Igor Geraskin has played 537 matches and scored 216 points. Additionally, he participated in the All-Star Game and played for Russia«s junior and Olympic teams.
27-year-old Dmitry Shugayev began his KHL career at 21 and soon became the main goalie for Severstal. He also played for the Russian national team, and in 2021 – for the national team in the Euro Hockey Tour.
Additionally, in the match on January 19, Torpedo hockey players again defeated the current KHL champion – Yaroslavl«s Lokomotiv. The game ended with a score of 3:1.
