Nail Yakupov allowed to play in KHL again, says Hockey Canada

Hockey Canada announced early Saturday morning, via TSN’s Darren Dreger, that they will sign the transfer card of Edmonton Oilers forward Nail Yakupv, allowing him to return to action in the KHL. The IIHF had suspended Yakupov after Hockey Canada, the governing body of the game in that country, raised issue over the status of his transfer.

Hockey Canada had originally contended that Yakupov was not allowed to play in the KHL because his rights belonged to the OHL’s Sarnia Sting, the club which he rose to national stardom beginning in 2010. Yakupov had played two games with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk of the KHL before being suspended from play.

The 18-year-old was initially assigned by the Oilers to play for the Sarnia Sting of the OHL, Edmonton’s junior league club. Yakupov preferred to return home to play, but was not granted a transfer by Hockey Canada.

Yakupov will remain suspended while the case is investigated by the International Ice Hockey Federation.