EURO CURVE

Euro Curve takes a look at the latest international hockey headlines.

– Tony Salmelainen has signed with Lokomotiv Yaroslav of the Russian Super League. Salmelainen left the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this week, citing “personal reasons”. He obviously had other plans, as he has quickly signed a contract with the Russian club. Salmelainen stuggled early this year and fell out of favour with Leafs Coach Paul Maurice. He played in only 2 games this year, with the Toronto Marlies, The Leafs’s American Hockey League affiliate. Salemelainen is a highly skilled forward who has enjoyed sporadic success in North America. Salmelainen had 6 goals and 11 assists in 57 games for the Chicago Blackhawks last season. Salmelainen has previously played for HIFK of the SM-Liiga and will surely look to fine tune his game with Lokomotiv, in hopes of getting another crack at the NHL.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Ezra Ginsburg.