After spending 4+ seasons with Neftekhimik Nizhenekamsk excelling on the scoresheet, especially in 2016/2017, where he potted 50 points (13-37) in 51 KHL games, 10th year right wing Dan Sexton(11) switches allegiances signing to Avtomobilist Yekaterinburg.
He is off to a very hot start scoring 18 goals and 21 assists with a +17 rating.
The 31-year old veteran of 88 NHL games (13 goals, 19 assists) looks to be able to continue on his streak in Russia’s top hockey and almost literally shows no signs of slowing down or stopping.
Dan Sexton (23)
In the 2nd year of his deal, Dan Sexton(42) was swapped out in minor trade with Tampa Bay Lightning that sent him right back to their new affiliate Syracuse Crunch, where he helped them go all the way to the 2013 AHL Calder Cup Finals.
He was offered a qualifying offer for 2013/2014 but decided it was time to move on signing a one-year deal with TPS of Finland’s SM-liiga.
After contributing almost a point-per-game production he sought to be released and received an offer to skate for Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in the KHL for the remainder of the season.
He would re-sign to stay on for a complete campaign and led the team in all scoring categories for 2014/2015 with 19 goals and 28 assists, 47 points in 49 games.
The now 28-year old will continue where he is for 2015/2016 and could really be finding his scoring stride overseas and potentially pursue a return home to North American pro hockey.
Dan Sexton (23)
4th year undrafted Anaheim Ducks‘ right wing Dan Sexton(23) failed to crack the NHL lineup in 2011/2012 but in his rookie and sophomore seasons he played a combined 88 games scoring 19 goals and adding 32 assists for 51 points.
Last season for their AHL affiliate Syracuse Crunch he put up 13 goals and 30 assists in 71 contests.
At 5’10” 170 lbs. he can almost easily be tough to spot on the ice when he’s out there.
He does dig but is more of the type of player that finds those open spaces in the offensive zone to score or feed the helper.
It’s almost surprising the only major injury he’s suffered thus far has been a surgically repaired nose from taking a slap shot to the face.
The 2nd year of his two-way deal he signed before last season is a one-way contract paid out at the league minimum.
Not bad on the negotiation but will he find his path back to the show?
Still, good for a guy that started his pro career in the ECHL with Bakersfield Condors and eventually made it to Anaheim within that same season.
In fact, he was sent back to Bakersfield once to keep him closer by for recall.
I’m sure he’ll look back when it’s all done on that rookie year where he played 72 games in three leagues scoring 27 goals and 30 assists.
Next year he could skate in his fourth minor league city (Norfolk Admirals) despite being signed by the same parent club.