ARIZONA COYOTES

Coyotes sign D Ilya Lyubushkin to one-year contract

May 23, 2018, 10:49 AM | Updated: May 24, 2018, 8:30 am

Ilya Lyubushkin, left, of Russia and Carl Klingberg of Sweden fight for the puck during the Euro Ho...

Ilya Lyubushkin, left, of Russia and Carl Klingberg of Sweden fight for the puck during the Euro Hockey Tour Karjala Tournament match between Sweden and Russia in Helsinki, Finland, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016. (Antti Aimo-Koivisto/Lehtikuva via AP)

(Antti Aimo-Koivisto/Lehtikuva via AP)

The Arizona Coyotes signed defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to a one-year, two-way deal on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old Russian product played for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League and was still under contract.

“We are pleased to sign Ilya to a one-year contract,” Coyotes general manager John Chayka said in a release. “Ilya is a big, physical defenseman who skates well and moves the puck effectively. He will add size and toughness to our blueline.”

He is considered a defensive defenseman with limited offensive skills.

At 6-foot-2 and 209 pounds, Lyubushkin registered 3-6-9 with 73 penalty minutes in 50 games this year. From 2013-18, he played in 257 games and recorded 12 goals and 24 assists in 258 penalty minutes with the KHL team.

Lyubushkin joins Jason Demers as the only right-handed defensemen on Arizona’s roster.

Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller...

Associated Press

Clayton Keller becomes 2nd Coyotes player with 400 points in win over Devils

Karel Vejmelka stopped 37 shots and the Arizona Coyotes beat the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

2 days ago

Arizona Coyotes center Logan Cooley, right, is greeted by defenseman Travis Dermott (33) after scor...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes beat struggling Detroit Red Wings again

Logan Cooley had a short-handed goal in the first period, Michael Carcone broke a tie in the second and the Coyotes beat the Red Wings 4-1.

4 days ago

Arizona Coyotes CEO and president Xavier Gutierrez...

Associated Press

Arizona Coyotes cleared to bid on north Phoenix land for new arena

The Arizona Coyotes have the green light to bid on a tract of land in north Phoenix in their yearslong bid to build a new arena.

4 days ago

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Josh Brown, left, and Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi (23) compete for...

Associated Press

Penalty kill falters again, Coyotes lose to the Minnesota Wild

Nick Bjugstad had another goal against his hometown team but the Coyotes penalty kill couldn't contain the Minnesota Wild in a road loss.

6 days ago

Arizona Coyotes right wing Clayton Keller...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Clayton Keller scores twice in loss to Blackhawks, Colin Blackwell delivers hat trick

Colin Blackwell got his first hat trick and Connor Bedard had two goals, leading the Blackhawks to a victory over the Coyotes.

8 days ago

Dylan Guenther #11 of the Arizona Coyotes warms up before the NHL game against the Boston Bruins at...

David Veenstra

Arizona Coyotes’ Dylan Guenther has water turned off after he doesn’t pay utility bill

Arizona Coyotes' Dylan Guenther and teammate Jack McBain had their water turned off this week after they did not pay their utility bill.

9 days ago

Coyotes sign D Ilya Lyubushkin to one-year contract