CHL DAILY: Kabanov Cleared To Play

The Moncton Wildcats received good news today as Russian superstar Kirill Kabanov has been cleared to play for the club. This ends a lengthy stand out between the Wildcats and Kabanov's KHL club Salavat Yulayev Ufa.

The International Ice Hockey federation ruled in the Wildcats, and Kabanov's, favour. He is expected to be immediately inserted into Moncton's line-up in time for Saturday's game against Lewiston.

This decision may be appealed to the IIHF Executive Committee within 7 days after receipt of the letter. This decision shall remain in effect and shall not be stayed pending the outcome of an appeal.

To view the official IIHF press release click HERE.

Kabanov has been in Moncton for around one month awaiting an announcement from the IIHF. It was believed the ruling would come this Wednesday, October 14.

The forward is considered by some to be the first overall selection in this years NHL draft. Other publications have him ranked second behind Windsor Spitfire Taylor Hall.

Kabanov was selected by the Wildcats with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 CHL Import draft in July. Saint John not only skipped over him once, but twice with the first and fourth overall picks in the draft. It will be interesting follow Stanislav Galiev and Tomas Jurco this season to see who truly won the draft.

Moncton plays Saint John next weekend on October 17 at 7:00 pm at Harbour Station. This has the potential to be one of the most anticipated games of the year with three of the top 2010 draft prospects playing on the same sheet of ice for the first time.