Winnipeg native Brendan Leipsic had his NHL contract terminated in 2020 after making misogynistic remarks and has since been playing in Russia.
Former Maple Leafs forward Brendan Leipsic has reportedly obtained Russian citizenship as he continues his hockey career in Russia.
As reported by the BBC’s Francis Scarr, citing information circulated by Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, Leipsic and U.S. boxer Kevin Johnson got approval for citizenship from President Vladimir Putin. In July, Russian media reported that Leipsic had written a request to Putin.
The 29-year-old winger from Winnipeg was drafted by the Nashville Predators in 2012. He spent a couple of seasons in the Leafs system beginning in 2015, when he primarily played for the AHL Marlies and was called up for six NHL games. He bounced around a handful of teams before signing his final NHL contract with the Washington Capitals in 2019-20.
That deal was abruptly terminated, however, after Leipsic was found to be involved in a controversy surrounding misogynistic remarks among a group of players online, which the NHL deemed “reprehensible.”
“There is no place in our league for such statements, attitudes and behaviour, no matter the form,” the NHL said in a statement. “We will address this inexcusable conduct with the clubs and players involved.”
Leipsic has been playing in Russia since then, first with HC CSKA Moscow and later Metallurg Magnitogorsk.
His current contract, a two-year deal signed as a free agent last June, is with SKA Saint Petersburg, where he has four points in 14 games.
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