Laval Rocket undrafted Latvian-born 5th year right wing Nikita Jevpalovs(11) re-ups for a 2nd season after tying a career high 13 goals, 12 assists and 25 points in 69 AHL games during his first campaign with the team.
Originally signed to a three year entry level deal by San Jose Sharks during his breakout third run with Blainville-Boisbriand Armada, where he notched 100 points in 64 QMJHL games, he was with the club for a couple of years with affiliate San Jose Barracuda but never quite caught on and not given a qualifying offer.
He did however help Allen Americans win the 2016 ECHL Kelly Cup Championship and score some pretty big numbers, when he was reassigned further down the chain.
The sturdy 6’1″ 214 lbs. forward next left for a shot at the KHL for Dinamo Riga but came up a bit short on the stat sheet.
At 24-years old and will turn 25 before the start of 2019/2020, he played a year of juniors in Russia’s MHL may be starting to catch fire and may be setting up a next journey back overseas if he can continue to elevate his play.