Thursday 3 October 2013

(D) Kristian Khenkel Denied Appeal by IIHF

The Lethbridge Hurricanes were informed late Thursday their appeal in regards to Defenceman Kristian Khenkel has been denied.

The Hurricanes drafted Khenkel, in the first round (20th overall) of the 2013 CHL Import Draft and the 6’2, 188 pound defenceman spent this past season with the Yunost-Minsk Hockey Club playing on the Yunost Minsk, Junior Minsk, and MHC Yunost Minsk teams.

According to the IIHF, Khenkel’s international transfer application is not approved because his first contract signed in 2011, at the age of 14, is considered valid. The age of 14 or 15 is considered of legal age for employment in sport, therefore the contract he signed at that time remains valid through 2016.

The future of Khenkel now rests in his hands, but he only has two options. One is to return to Minsk and fulfill the remainder of his contract or he can try and obtain a release from Minsk and play in Germany. If he does not play, he is suspended for four months.

Lethbridge Hurricanes General Manager, Brad Robson is “extremely disappointed in the decision as is Kris. We’ve been waiting a long time for this to be resolved and this isn’t the outcome we were hoping for or expecting.” Robson added “His dream was to play here and be a part of the Hurricanes. He’s very upset as are we.” Kris will be returning to Germany in the next few days.

(From Esther Madziya, Hurricanes Media Relations)

Thanks,
PAt

4 comments:

  1. What a load of cattle dung!
    Poor Kristian! A sports contract is legal at 14? Of course the IIHF does not give a rat's behind as to taking in consideration what is best for the player. (They certainly took their sweet time about a decision
    and thus kept Kristian hoping)
    Now what will Robson do? He had plans of having Kristian as a big tough stay at home d-man. Trade maybe?

    Dump'n Chase

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  2. The thought that a 14 yr old can sign a legally binding contract borders on the ridiculous. This is the second such denial by the IIHF since the CHL put the ban on drafting Euro goalies. (Victoria lost an appeal as well) Retaliation maybe?

    But at the risk of sounding like a xenophobe I see no reason why we are bringing in Euros. There are plenty of good Canadian kids that we should develop. The cost to the teams for sending the Euros back home at Xmas and seasons end is increasing as well. The next thing we will hear is that the transfer fees will be increasing. Does not sound economically viable to me.

    For our own particular situation our D corps is improving with each game. I would not have minded seeing how Khenkle would have fit in I think we can continue moving forward with out him.

    Dump n Chase is thinking a possible trade, it is not on defence where we need help a pure scorer would be really nice.

    An Observer

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  3. I'm upset of the decision but remember that WHL and NCAA players can also "sign" at 14... he must have been real good if his Minsk club was willing to fight that much to keep him.

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  4. It's all about the money! His team would be glad to let him play here. Just pay the blackmail $$$ and it's a done deal.

    Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't see this happening to the rich WHL teams.

    canesrock

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