Report: Rangers Prospect Leaving Liiga For KHL
According to reports from Slovakian news site Lionline, Rangers forward prospect Patrik Virta is signing with HC Slovan Bratislava of the KHL.
BRATISLAVA 17. júla (https://t.co/ZaZ1KpXvqX) – Fínsky hokejový útočník Patrik Virta by mal byť ďalšou akvizíciou slovenského účastníka nadnárodnej Kontinentálnej hokejovej ligy (KHL) HC… https://t.co/llT2BY5NLx
— AKTUALIZOVANÉ SPRAVODAJSTVO + (@LiveSlovakia) July 17, 2018
Virta spent the last three years with Liiga club TPS where he contributed significantly. As a 20-year-old in 2016-17, Virta recorded 26 points (14G, 12A) in 49 games. Last season, as a 21-year-old, Virta registered 40 points (14G, 26A) in 58 games. Those numbers last season ranked him second in Liiga scoring for U22s (turned 22 midseason) and tied for 20th across the whole league. The Rangers are in no rush to bring Virta to North America and having him leave Finland to play in the KHL should only help his development.
UPDATE
HC Slovan Bratislava has confirmed the reports and announced Virta’s signing on Twitter.
Patrik Virta (1996), one of the most talented player from @smliiga, who earned 43 points in last season agreed the terms of a new contract at #hcslovan! #Welcome @khl_eng @khl @khlmediateam #Goodluck pic.twitter.com/BOvh46xHLZ
— HC SLOVAN Bratislava (@hcslovanba) July 17, 2018
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