Brock Trotter Off To Latvia To Play In KHL

(above) Brock Trotter is moving to Latvia to play hockey in the Russian League

From: Latvian Hockey.com

Several Canadian internet sources have announced that the 23-year-old former DU hocker star Brock Trotter has signed a one-year contract with Dinamo Riga of the Continental Hockey League in Russia.

It is estimated that the contract could be worth up to $250,000, which is four times more than he made in the AHL last season (plus the significant tax differences). For a comparison, legendary Sandis Ozolinsh contract, who might be the most heavy one for Dinamo Riga, is rumoured to be worth around 840,000 USD.

23-year-old forward became a restricted free agent on July 1, but apparently did not succeed coming to an agreement with the Canadiens.

Trotter has spent several past seasons in Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL. In 2009/10 he posted 77 points in 75 regular season games, adding 19 points in 19 games during the playoffs. Last season he also made two Montreal Canadiens appearances.

Dinamo Riga pre-season camp began already on July 23 with team highlights of Chris Holt, Sandis Ozolinsh, Mark Hartigan, Tomas Surovy and others on the roster. Club’s general manager Normunds Sejejs is still desperately working on finding a starting goalie.

Dinamo reached Western Conference Semifinals last season, after eliminating SKA St. Petersburg in the Quarterfinals. The club then proceeded to lose to HC MVD, which became the Western Conference champion later on.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

So Brock takes his bad behavior to Russia.

puck swami said...

Actually, he'll be playing his home games in Latvia for Dynamo Riga.

Good move for Brock. $250K with a free aprtment and car in Latvia is a much better deal than $50-75K in Hamilton, Ontario.

dggoddard said...

Thanks for the heads up on Latvia

Twister said...

I wondered what Trotter's future was. He seemed to have a couple of solid seasons for Hamilton, but according to hockeydb he only saw action in 2 games for Montreal.

I can think of worse places to play than Riga. Very cool city with gorgeous ladies.

Aluuum said...

If the coach is desperate to find a goalie he should look up Berkhoel. He's hanging it up this year after failing to stick with Atlanta. I think 250k would get his attention. I'll never forget the saves Berkie made in Colorado springs in the 04 tournament.

Anonymous said...

Колледж Колорадо Cocatb!

puck swami said...

Berkie was an eighth round draft pick who got his degree, won an NCAA ring with a shutout and got ot play in the NHL.

We should all be so lucky.

puck swami said...

As DG pointed out - Trotter is not going to be an NHL top 6 forward, and he's too little for 3 and 4th line NHL duties. The makes him NHL expendable. Therefore, he can be a point-a-game guy in the AHL and make $75k per season, or he can go to Europe, put up a point per game with less hitting, less games and a new culture for $250K. No brainer.

Anonymous said...

Actually, for the majority of DU's skilled guys who aren't named Stastny, Carle, etc., going to the KHL is probably their best bet...

Anonymous said...

Wasn't Berkie with Wilkes Barre(Pens)the last 2 years and Grand Rapids(Detroit) before that?

Anonymous said...

Brock has won a very special place in my heart as one of the biggest dipshits I have ever met. Im happy to hear he got kicked off the team for cheating on a test

Anonymous said...

I had heard that Brock's problems were more related to getting involved with a girl who belonged to someone else...

Anonymous said...

Best of luck to Brock! $250K plus apt and car is a great deal!

Anonymous said...

Congrats to Brock. He had a couple of good seasons with Hamilton - best of luck to him. Nice paycheck too!