Ducks assign Nikita Klepov to OHL’s Spirit

The Point

Nikita Klepov's NHL trial is over for now. The Anaheim Ducks have assigned the rookie forward to the OHL's Saginaw Spirit, the NHL team announced Friday. Klepov, 18, was picked 11th overall in this year's NHL Draft. He is not yet eligible for the AHL. Instead of playing NCAA…

Timeline

Oct 30
Ducks assign Nikita Klepov to OHL’s Spirit
Sportsnet NHL →

Key numbers

67 games

Context

Anaheim Ducks

Full reporting

Publisher words below — SYCKOS organizes facts above. Read the original when you want the journalism.

Nikita Klepov's NHL trial is over for now.

The Anaheim Ducks have assigned the rookie forward to the OHL's Saginaw Spirit, the NHL team announced Friday.

Klepov, 18, was picked 11th overall in this year's NHL Draft. He is not yet eligible for the AHL.

Instead of playing NCAA hockey at Michigan State this season, Klepov opted to sign his entry-level contract with the Ducks before cracking the opening-night roster.

He got into four games with Anaheim, and didn't register a point.

Because Klepov is returning to junior before the 10-game mark, the first year of his entry-level contract does not kick in.

Klepov led the OHL in scoring last season with 97 points in 67 games.

He rejoins a Spirit team that has a potential top-10 pick next year in Dima Zhilkin.