AK Bars show off Finnish rookie from NHL
Published: 18 August, 2011, 10:37
Antti Miettinen defending the colors of Minnesota Wild (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images / AFP)
Two-time KHL champs, Ak Bars, have presented their latest piece of business to the public as new signing, Antti Miettinen, took to the ice with the Kazan club during a pre-season tour around Moscow.
The Finnish hockey player arrived in Russia from Minnesota Wild in the NHL.
The Bronze Olympic medalist signed a two-year deal on Tuesday and picked up his maiden assist for the new club on Wednesday.
Lauris Darzins was the grateful recipient on this occasion as Ak Bars eventually cruised to a 3-1 win against Vityaz.
And Ak Bars' new boy, Miettenen, seems to be enjoying his trans-Atlantic switch.
”It feels great to prepare for the season when your goal is to win another championship. Everybody wants to beat you and you have to be at your best every night,” he said.
The match was watched by Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, who guided Ak Bars to both of their Gagarin Cup triumphs, but has now stepped up to international duty.
Bilyaletdinov will be looking after Russia as they host their first-ever home Winter Olympics in Sochi in three years' time.
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