Khabibulin Signs With Ice Dogs
Holdout goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin of the Phoenix Coyotes signed a contract with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League on Friday.
Through agent Jay Grossman, the two-time NHL all-star asked the Coyotes for a $20-million, five-year contract nearly two months ago.
The proposal was rejected, and Khabibulin responded by demanding a trade, which hasn’t happened. Khabibulin turned down the team’s $9-million, three-year offer before the season.
Khabibulin could see his first action Friday at Houston.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our organization, it gives our fans a chance to see one of the premier goaltenders in the world play in our forum,” Coach and General Manager John Van Boxmeer said.
On Friday, the Ice Dogs beat Michigan, 4-3, in a shootout at Long Beach.
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