Defender Grigory Dronov signs contract extension with "Traktor" club
Score Another Goal for Traktor
The Chelyabinsk-based hockey club, Traktor, has scored a major win by extending the contract of defenseman Grigory Dronov until the end of the 2027-28 season. Before joining Traktor, Dronov proudly wore the colors of Magnitogorsk's Metallurg, where he began his professional sports journey.
With a stellar career in the KHL under his belt, Dronov has played 454 games, amassing an impressive 145 points (48 goals + 97 assists), and boasting a commendable +22 total plus/minus rating.
Last season, Dronov truly shone, raking in 31 points (14 goals + 17 assists) in 60 regular season games, and maintaining a +19 plus/minus rating. In the playoffs, he upped his game further, contributing 12 points (5 goals + 7 assists) in 20 games. His stellar performance was a key factor in Traktor's run to the Gagarin Cup Final, where they unfortunately lost to Yaroslavl's Lokomotiv in five games.
Traktor's commitment to strengthening their team is evident in this move, as well as in previous contract extensions for goaltender Sergei Mylnikov and the signing of Jordan Gross, a defenseman from Minsk's Dinamo. Last season, Traktor topped the Eastern Conference, confirming their ambitious fight for leadership in the KHL.
Maxim Shabanov, another prominent Traktor player, was a key performer during the 2024-25 season. Not only did he lead Traktor's scoring, but he also made it to the finals for the KHL MVP award, showcasing Traktor's reliance on his offensive prowess[3][4].
Though Traktor's strategy for team strengthening isn't explicitly detailed, their strong showing in the KHL and Gagarin Cup Final suggests a solid core and effective team management. They may be focusing on retaining key players like Shabanov and bolstering their lineup with new signings to build upon their recent performance. However, without specific reports on recent signings, the precise strategy remains unclear. Keep an eye out for press releases or interviews from Traktor's management and coaching staff for a clearer picture of their plans for the upcoming season.
Bookmakers are likely to have Traktor as a strong contender in sports such as hockey for the upcoming season, given their recent contract extensions and new signings. Traktor's defenseman Grigory Dronov, with his impressive statistics and commitment to the team, is expected to make significant contributions to Traktor's sports performances in hockey.
