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RALEIGH, NC—Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes) on a one-year contract. The deal will pay Babchuk $1 million in 2008-09. “Anton had a good year in the Russian Superliga,” Rutherford said. “He played well at times with us two seasons ago and now, at 24 years old, it is his time to mature into a consistent NHL defenseman.” READ MORE

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Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes) is currently evaluating his options, one of which is to return to North America and accept an offer from the Carolina Hurricanes. Another option for Anton is to remain in Russia and re-sign with HC Avangard (Omsk), which has given him a qualifying offer to remain with the club. While Babchuk did not completely fulfill the expectations placed on him this past season in the Super League (Russia 1), he did deliver a strong season, thus making his return to the NHL likely, though it may not be with the Hurricanes if they trade his rights .

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Russian Super League -  After a turbulent season with the Carolina Hurricanes Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes) may be going back to Russia. The young defenseman seemed to hit it off with the NHL club after the trade, but then had to play spot duty over the past couple of seasons and was not able to consistently secure a spot in the lineup. The situation became even worse when he initially refused to report to the AHL affiliate earlier in the season. However, he eventually reported, but the who two year relationship has likely resulted in him looking for a contract elsewhere. Babchuk will likely spend a season in Russia, or be traded and signed by a different NHL club.

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The Carolina Hurricanes suspended defenseman Anton Babchuk on Wednesday for failing to report to their American Hockey League affiliate in Albany. The suspension came the day after Babchuk was sent down and the Hurricanes activated defenseman Frantisek Kaberle from the non-roster injured list. READ MORE

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Carolina Hurricanes General Manager Jim Rutherford announced today that Anton Babchuk was being recalled by the NHL club from the AHL’s Lowell Lock Monsters. Thus far Babchuk skated five games for the Lock Monsters since being demoted, scoring a goal and adding three more assists. He will join the Hurricanes in time for the home game against the New York Rangers.

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Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) -  After a summer of negotiations, Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes) couldn't agree on a new deal with his NHL team and thus crossed the pond back to play with Avangard Omsk, where he already spent a season in 2007-08. The Kiev, Ukraine, native scored thirty-five points in the last season, but it wasn't rated enough by Carolina to give him the contract he was asking for.

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National Hockey League (NHL) -  You may never have heard of Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes). He was a first-rounder from 2001 that looked as though he was headed down the slippery slope to RealEstate-ville after an unimpressive showing with Chicago. The Kiev, Ukraine native was a young defenseman that was forced far too soon into the big leagues to help out a struggling team. He spent one year in the Russian Super League before making his NHL debut. (The Hockey Writers article by Kate Shefte) READ MORE

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Russian Super League -  HC Avangard newcomer Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes), according to the club’s head coach Velery Belousov, is one of those players who will be able to boost his team’s level of aggressiveness. He hasn’t had a chance to play, and wishes to prove himself to everyone and everywhere (first of all in the NHL), that he is not yet been considered a top caliber defenseman. Babchuk plans to become one of the top players on Omsk’s defensive line. To make simpler, Babchuk needs Avangard and Avangard needs Babchuk. (Championat.ru Interview) READ MORE

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Russian Super League -  Find out more about the changes that took place within last season's top four clubs in the Super League. Some such as Avangard Omsk and Metallurg Magnitogorsk have strived to stay on the same trek. Others, such as the league's favorite Ak Bars Kazan that is known for the high flying Morozov - Zinovjev - Zaripov line, coped with some significant changes. Finally CSKA has significantly strengthened the roster despite losing a couple of talented players. READ MORE

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U20 ADT Canada Russia Challenge -  Vladislav Evseev has continued his renaissance, scoring a pair of goals against his former club HC Dynamo. HC Khimik destroyed HC CSKA behind a strong performance by Sergei Mozyakin (Columbus Blue Jackets). Maxim Kondratiev (Anaheim Mighty Ducks) collected his first goal since returning from North America. Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes) collected his 8th goal of the season. Lokomotiv lost despite getting goals from Alexei Yashin and Alexei Mikhnov (Edmonton Oilers). Oleg Piganovich collected two assists, continuing his Rookie of the Year caliber season and was a big reason why Traktor one. READ MORE

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Super League -  HC CSKA earned a well deserved victory behind a strong performance from Denis Kulyash (Nashville Predators) and Oleg Saprykin (Ottawa Senators). Evgeny Dadonov played well for HC Traktor, but it was defenseman Oleg Piganovich who again stole the show, recording his 9th goal of the season. Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes)’s cannon continues to fire well as of lately, as the young blue liner recorded his 5th of the season for the surging HC Avangard. READ MORE

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Super League -  Maxim Goncharov (Phoenix Coyotes) scores his first Super League goal in HC CSKA’s overtime victory over HC Dynamo. Timofei Shishkanov (St. Louis Blues) was another stand out in that game for CSKA. HC Amur earned a rare victory, and an impressive one over the highly touted HC SKA, despite a monster effort from Maxim Sushinsky . Viktor Alexandrov (St. Louis Blues) is back on track, scoring his 10th of the season, helping struggling HC Metallurg earn a victory. Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes)’s cannon of a shot helped HC Avangard earn another victory as the elite club has begun to steadily rise in the rankings. READ MORE

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Super League -  The top start of the 16th round is undoubtedly Dmitri Vorobiev (Toronto Maple Leafs) and not for his offensive or defensive capabilities, but for successfully standing up toe to toe with Canadian enforcer Darcy Verot, who joined HC Vityaz this past offseason. Vorobiev fought Verot twice and won the punching contests both times. Interestingly this was also the game reviewed by the Russian National Team selection coach Vladimir Vasiliev, who undoubtedly was happy with what he saw from Vorobiev as a player who could give Russia a physical edge it often lacks. Beyond Vorobiev, Anton Babchuk (Carolina Hurricanes) unleashed his cannon against HC Neftkhimik, scoring his third of the season from the blue line. Yuri Dobryshkin (Atlanta Thrashers) added his league leading 11th goal in a losing effort against champions Metallurg. READ MORE