Alexander Barabanov returns to the KHL
© Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports - Alexander Barabanov returns to the KHLRussian winger Alexander Barabanov has signed a two-year contract with Ak Bars Kazan, the KHL club announced on Thursday.
“Kazan ... a great city,” 30-year-old Barabanov said about the capital of Tatarstan. “When we were at the negotiation stage I was shown the club base, the arena, the entire infrastructure, and I was pleasantly impressed. I know the fans always actively support their team.”
“Alexander is a top-six forward with extensive experience playing in the KHL, NHL and the Russian national team,” said Ak Bars GM Marat Valiullin. “He is one of the main talents of his generation, at a good age for a hockey player and with healthy ambitions. He is a two-way forward, fast and intelligent, well known to Anvar Gatiyatulin from their work together. We count on his leadership qualities both on the ice and in the dressing room. His work ethic can be an example for his teammates.”
A native of St. Petersburg, Barabanov is a product of the SKA organization, where he played until the age of 25. Over eight seasons, he recorded 137 points in 262 KHL regular-season games. In the playoffs, he had 23 points in 68 games and was a member of SKA’s Gagarin Cup championship teams in 2015 and 2017.
Barabanov has played in North America for the past four seasons, first with a short 13-game stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs before being traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2021. With the Sharks, he had two productive seasons and overall, recorded 107 points in 206 NHL games. However, team success eluded him in San Jose.
“I miss the playoffs,” said Barabonov. “I’m very hungry, I want to win the Cup and I’ll try to help our team reach that goal. I feel great, the pre-season training camp is ahead – time to improve my playing and physical condition. I miss hockey, I want to win.”
Internationally, Barabonov has represented Russia at four IIHF World Championships and won an Olympic gold medal in 2018 as a member of the Olympic Athletes from Russia team.
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