Mike Hedden Signs with KHL's Medvescak Zagreb

Hedden (Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)

Now that the season is officially over, players will begin signing deals elsewhere. Mike Hedden is the first. The Dunnvlle, ON native signed a deal with the KHL's Medveščak Zagreb earlier in the playoffs. The team has a decidedly North American flavor with recognizable names on the roster such as Barry Brust, Mark Dekanich, Hugh Jessiman and others.

He will make significntly more in the KHL than any AHL team would have offered him. Unfortunately, with his age a factor, he was unlikely to big up an NHL two-way despite having the best year of his career. He was dynamic on a line with Justin Dowling and Brett Ritchie all season. He was certainly in the running for MVP of the playoffs after 19 points in 21 games.

The team's sport director said, "Mike is coming off winning the Calder Cup for the Texas Stars this season where he had a great playoff and finished as the 2nd leading scorer in the playoffs. He is a very solid two way player who plays with some real grit and plays the game the right way. He will be a great addition to our lineup and should be able to play in all situations for us. We expect him to be a solid top 9 forward for us."

Hedden's KHL carreer will start on July 31, giving him little off time in the summer.

@TexasStars just want to says thanks to everyone in the organization, to all the fans and my teammates. It's been an amazing 3 years.

— Michael Hedden (@michaelhedden26) June 20, 2014