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.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Coyotes

Nick Bjugstad #17 of the Arizona Coyotes scores the game winning goal against Alexandar Georgiev #4...

Associated Press

Nick Bjugstad scores late in overtime as Coyotes top Avalanche

Nick Bjugstad scored 4:39 into overtime and the Coyotes extended their win streak to a season-high three games with a 4-3 win.

5 hours ago

Goaltender Connor Ingram...

Arizona Sports

Connor Ingram earning opportunities in Coyotes’ goalie rotation

The Coyotes have rotated goalies Connor Ingram and Karel Vejmelka, but lately Ingram has earned opportunities to stay hot.

9 hours ago

Goaltender Connor Ingram...

Associated Press

Coyotes’ Michael Carcone scores twice, Connor Ingram stellar in win over Lightning

Connor Ingram stopped 30 shots in his second straight strong performance as the Arizona Coyotes beat the Tampa Bay Lightning.

2 days ago

Connor Ingram...

Associated Press

Ingram, Coyotes shut out Golden Knights in Las Vegas

Connor Ingram made 34 saves for his first shutout of the season as the Arizona Coyotes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 2-0 on Saturday night.

5 days ago

Arizona Diamondbacks...

Kevin Zimmerman

5 things Arizona sports fans can be thankful for in 2023

We hope the vibes at your Thanksgiving table, big or small, are good ones. The vibes out there in the Arizona sports universe? Pretty good.

8 days ago

Blues Coyotes Hockey...

Associated Press

Coyotes allow 2 short-handed goals in high-scoring loss to Blues

The St. Louis Blues outlasted the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday night after defense was optional in the desert.

8 days ago

Coyotes sign D Ilya Lyubushkin to one-year contract