Jordan Gross signs with KHL club Dinamo Minsk

American defenseman Jordan Gross, 29, has signed a one-year contract with Dinamo Minsk, the Belarusian-based KHL club announced on Friday. The Nashville Predators retain his NHL rights.

Undrafted upon completing four years at the University of Notre Dame, Gross signed with the Arizona Coyotes late in the 2017-18 season and was immediately assigned to the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL. Over the past six seasons, Gross has spent most of his time in the AHL but has also played 25 NHL games with the Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators.

Last season, Gross missed two months due to injury and recorded 22 points in 42 games with the Milwaukee Admirals. He returned in the playoffs and tallied an assist in 12 games as the Admirals were eliminated in the conference final.

This will be Gross’ first time playing in Europe, but as an offensive defenseman who is undersized by NHL standards at 5-foot-10 and 190 pounds, it could be well-suited to his style of play.

In Minsk, Gross joins former NHLers Xavier Ouellet, Alexander Volkov, Tanner Fritz and Vadim Shipachyov. NHL-drafted prospects on the roster include 21-year-old goaltender Yegor Velmakin (Carolina Hurricanes) and 20-year-old forward Vadim Moroz (Utah HC).