OMSK, Russia, August 7 (R-Sport) – Russian hockey team Avangard Omsk and injured center Ryan Potulny have mutually agreed to sever ties less than three months after the American signed a two-year contract, the team said Wednesday.
Potulny, 28, sustained a shoulder injury during a recent preseason exhibition game against fellow Kontinental Hockey League team Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Fussen, Germany.
According to Avangard general manager Yury Karmanov, Potulny broached the idea of axing the deal when it became clear earlier this week that his shoulder would require surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation.
“We’re all disappointed, of course, but hockey’s a professional sport and no one’s immune to these things,” Karmanov was quoted as saying by the team's website.
“We expected Potulny to help us at the center position, but we’ll find other solutions.”
The North Dakota native joined Avangard in May after two seasons with the Hershey Bears of the American Hockey League. A third-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers in 2003, Potulny has played 126 games in the NHL, registering 22 goals and 27 assists.
