Vladislav Mikhalchuk, the Prince George Cougars' leading pointgetter in 2018-19, is not returning to the team for his final season of junior eligibility.
He's turning pro instead.
The 19-year-old import winger from Berarus has signed with the Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the Kontinental Hockey League.
In his second season in Prince George since being selected 54th overall by the Cougars in the 2017 Canadian Hockey League import draft, Mikhalchuk scored 25 goals and added 25 assists for a team-high 50 points in 68 games. In 128 regular season games he had 389 goals 44 assists and 83 points.
Mikhalchuk will celebrate his 20th birthday on Oct. 16. Had he returned to play for the Cats next season the Cats would have to reserve one of their three 20-year-old overager spots and one of their two European player allotments for Mikhalchuk.
They now have one import spot open ahead of the CHL import draft on June 27. The Cougars hold the 10th overall pick.
