Difficulties arose in convincing Poturalski's spouse regarding his transition to "Avangard"
In a surprising turn of events, AHL MVP Andrew Poturalski has left the NHL to join Avangard Omsk in the KHL for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
After a stellar 2024-25 season with the San Jose Barracuda, where Poturalski led the league with 73 points in 59 games, he was released from the final year of his contract in late May 2025. This paved the way for his move to Russia, as he signed a one-year contract with Avangard Omsk, officially announced in late July 2025.
The move appears to have been a personal choice, with no public reports of competitive NHL negotiations or AHL affiliate discussions, suggesting that Poturalski sought a different career path, possibly due to limited NHL opportunities.
Alexei Sopyan, the general manager of Omsk Avangard, revealed that convincing Poturalski was a challenging process, particularly in convincing his wife. However, Sopyan remained tight-lipped about the offers Poturalski may have received from NHL clubs.
Poturalski's agent also expressed surprise at the move, stating that he "still can't believe" the decision. The details of the negotiation process were not disclosed, with Poturalski's agent revealing only that they found the right "levers and points" to convince the forward.
Poturalski's departure from the San Jose Barracuda marks a significant change in his professional hockey career. The move to Avangard Omsk will see him continue his career as a forward in the KHL, after dominating the AHL but not securing a lasting NHL role.
[1] Sovsport, accessed 1st August 2025. [2] San Jose Barracuda, accessed 1st August 2025. [3] KHL, accessed 1st August 2025. [4] The Mercury News, accessed 1st August 2025.
What could be the reasons behind Poturalski's decision to play hockey in the KHL instead of the NHL? Despite leading the AHL in points for the 2024-25 season and securing a MVP award, he has chosen sports like hockey in the KHL over continuing in the NHL.
