After not being able to find a team interested in him, former Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Sopel has signed a two-year deal with the KHL. Metallurg Novokuznetsk to be exact. Sopel was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers (now the Winnipeg Jets) last offseason in a blockbuster trade and finished the season with the Montreal Canadiens where he was acquired in another trade near the trade deadline.
The 34-year old defenseman only put up 2 goals and 5 assists with Atlanta and Montreal, but has been known as one of the best shot-blockers in the league where he finished with 152 last season.
Brent Sopel was a quiet, but key member of the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup winning team in 2010. He was tied for first on the team in blocked shots during that playoffs with 54 and also finished tied for 6th among all players. Sopel even contributed offensively by recorded a goal and 5 assists on top of earning a +7 rating.
On Friday, Sopel confirmed the signing on his Twitter account: “Two years in the KHL! So excited for this new opportunity!”
