10th year center Corey Elkins(39) returned for 2017/2018 after 4+ successful campaigns for HIFK, where he scored 42 goals and 87 assists in 223 Liiga games and was three time league best on the face-off dot.
The former Los Angeles Kings‘ prospect initially left for Czech Republic after two seasons with affiliate Manchester Monarchs and only a few games up in the big league left him discouraged.
His first stint overseas for HC Pardubice of Tipsport Extraliga was decent enough for him to earn a one-year deal with Anaheim Ducks to return.
He was reassigned to affiliate Norfolk Admirals but got off to a slow start and sent down further to Fort Wayne Komets, where he struck for 3 goals and 3 assists in 4 ECHL games.
The big 6’2″ 220 lbs. forward decided to opt out of his deal, leaving his long run in Finland.
He decided to return to skate for Grand Rapids Griffins, signing with a team close to his home in West Bloomfield, MI.
Appearing in a full calendar of 76 AHL games, he scored 9 goals and 11 assists but has quickly decided to return to Europe at the conclusion of the season.
The 33-year will head to Germany’s DEL signing with Grizzlys Wolfsburg and likely do well but may return again to become a player/assistant coach.
We shall see.
Corey Elkins (39)
After being overlooked for a call-up last season, third year center Corey Elkins(39) decided to not re-up with Los Angeles Kings for another season and heads to the Czech League signing with HC Pardubuce for 2011/2012.
In three NHL games, he has one goal.
He was undrafted and signed by the Kings as a free agent in 2009.
I doubt that’s the last we’ve seen of him in North American hockey.
Corey Elkins (39)
Monarchs‘ 2nd year undrafted center, Corey Elkins(39) signed by Los Angeles to a couple consecutive one-year contracts played a few games (and got a goal) with the Kings last season, but has yet to get the call this year despite being on pace to eclipse his 2009/2010 AHL point totals.
He got a pair in the 5-2 loss last Sunday to Worcester.
Corey Elkins (39)
Second year pro, Manchester Monarchs‘ center Corey Elkins(39) is always an exciting player to watch at the AHL level.
Undrafted but signed by the Los Angeles Kings, he’s had one three game taste of the NHL last season but has yet to earn his call-up in 2010/2011 despite almost a point per game performance in 22 games.