Undrafted 2nd year Latvian-born left wing Rihards Bukarts(10) decides one-year in North American pro hockey is enough and splits for the Czech Extraliga signing with Aukro Berani Zlin.
The former 1st round 2012 draft pick of Dinamo Riga will likely detonate the scoresheet in this league much like he did when reassigned down to Manchester Monarchs.
He scored 16 goals and 17 assists with a +7 in 37 ECHL games but was signed to an AHL contract with Springfield Thunderbirds.
The 5’9″ 185 lbs. forward played only 14 games with them scoring three assists but never looked out of place.
He was in Florida Panthers‘ training camp last season after much junior back home and in Russia but more notably two years of big numbers in the WHL with Brandon Wheat Kings, then Portland Winterhawks.
The 21-year old, born on New Year’s Eve, will play himself up to a nice spot on a team overseas, likely in the KHL eventually.