August 28, 2018

Saskatoon Blades sign Swedish defenceman Emil Malysjev to WHL Standard Player Agreement

Saskatoon Blades

Saskatoon, Sask. – The Saskatoon Blades have signed 2001-born import defenceman Emil Malysjev to a Western Hockey League Standard Player Agreement. The dual citizen of Sweden and Russia was selected 18th overall by Saskatoon in the 2018 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.

“We are thrilled Emil has chosen to sign with the Blades. He’s a strong, 6-foot-3 defensemen that played on the SuperElit Championship team as a 16-year-old last year,” said Blades General Manager Colin Priestner following the signing. “He has great potential and adds another strong 2001 to our group. We can’t wait to see him here on Tuesday and we feel his ability to speak fluent English will also help ease his transition over to Canada,” added Priestner.

Malysjev spent last season with HV71 in Sweden’s top junior league as a 16-year-old. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 190-pounds, Malysjev appeared in 29 games for HV71 last season, registering 4 assists along the way. He also played 15 games with HV71’s J18 squad, tallying seven points (2G-5A).

Emil is expected to arrive in Saskatoon late Tuesday and could see game action as early as this weekend when the Blades travel to Regina to take on Moose Jaw and Swift Current in pre-season competition on Friday and Saturday.

BREAKING: Blades sign Swedish defenceman Emil Malysjev

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— Saskatoon Blades (@BladesHockey) August 28, 2018