SHEFFIELD, UK – Sheffield Steelers have signed their first ever Latvian player with Olympic Games team member Ervins Mustukovs signing on for the coming Elite League season.
Replacing 37 year old veteren netminder Andrew Verner, who despite a glittering career which included years starting in the DEL with Cologne Sharks and Hannover Scorpions, after being drafed in Round 2 by Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers assigned Verner to the Cape Breton Oilers in the AHL where his performances led to appearing for Canada at the World Championships.
The future of Verner remains un-certain but Mustukovs will be spending the coming season in the Teal and Orange of the Sheffield Steelers. At 26, Mustukovs has many years left in him and joins from KHL side Dinamo Riga where he split time between the KHL, Belarussian and Latvian leagues. The KHL is Europe’s top league and arguably one of the best league in the world.
Also putting up over 90% save percentages in the ECHL and SPHL in North America, the undrafted netminder did enough last season to be a member of the Team Latvia squad for the Olympic Games but failed to make the team for the World Championships.
As at club level, Mustukovs backed up Edgar Masalskis at the Olympics where Hull Stingrays netminder Martins Raitnums was unavailable. Raitnums took Mustukovs place at the World Championships making one appearence for the national side. Raitnums put up a 89.8% save percentage in a Hull shirt.
Coach David Matsos admits Mustukovs is a risk but feels he is going to be a star netminder for the team.
Meanwhile, Matsos suggests he will announce the back up for Mustukovs later this week.
Contact the writer: phil.andrews@prohockeynews.com
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