Toronto Maple Leafs
'Just The Ultimate 200-Foot Forward': Morgan Rielly Excited to Face Former Maple Leafs Teammate Nikolay Kulemin in Pre-Season Game Against Senators
Kulemin, who the Maple Leafs drafted, played with Rielly during the 2013-14 season.
When the Ottawa Senators take to the ice for their first preseason game against the Maple Leafs on Sunday inside Scotiabank Arena, Nikolay Kulemin will be one of several players skating in their old rink.
The former Maple Leaf signed a professional tryout with the Senators on Sept. 5, attempting a return to the NHL after spending the last six years in the KHL.
According to several reporters in Ottawa, Kulemin, along with other former Maple Leafs Noah Gregor, Michael Amadio, and Adam Gaudette (who played solely with the Marlies, but had an NHL deal), will play against Toronto in a preseason game on Sunday night.
Morgan Rielly, who the Maple Leafs drafted fifth overall in the 2012 NHL Draft, played with Kulemin during the 2013-14 season. The defenseman is in the Maple Leafs' lineup for Sunday's matchup against the Senators and recalls playing with the Russian forward.
"Big, strong guy. His name came up recently and I didn't know he was there, but obviously, when he was here, he was a great player and just the ultimate 200-foot forward and worker and strong guy," Rielly said.
"I remember being young and him having that imposing type of stature. So good for him. I wish him nothing but the best."
Toronto drafted Kulemin in the second round (42nd overall) in the 2006 NHL Draft. He played 421 games with the Maple Leafs, scoring 84 goals and 111 assists for 195 points.
The Russian forward has appeared in 669 NHL games, split between Toronto and the New York Islanders, and has scored 121 goals and 153 assists.
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