Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Simon Despres has signed with the Fife Flyers, a Scottish team based in the United Kingdom’s Elite Ice Hockey League.
That team announced the transaction with a release on Tuesday.
Despres, 34, was a first-round draft pick (No. 30 overall) of the Penguins in 2009.
In parts of four seasons with the Penguins, Despres scored 33 points (five goals, 33 assists) while averaging 15:54 of ice time per contest.
He also spent parts of three seasons with the Anaheim Ducks but has not played in the NHL since 2016-17.
A native of Laval, Quebec, Despres has led a nomadic career over the past nine seasons, playing for professional teams in Slovakia, Germany, Sweden, Austria and Scotland.
Despres opened this season with Saint-Hyacinthe Bataillon, a semi-professional team that competes in the Quebec-based Ligue Nord-Américaine de Hockey. In nine games with that club, he had two assists.
We got injury updates on Frank Nazar and Jason Dickinson yesterday. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs might be missing their best player when they come to town.
The Chicago Blackhawks are back at the United Center tonight as they host the Eastern Conference-leading New Jersey Devils. Check back in this afternoon for a complete game preview and again late tonight for postgame analysis. Until then, here are some fresh Morning Chirps to hold you over.
Auston Matthews went to the Leafs dressing room after taking this hit from Zadorov pic.twitter.com/MxVL6cyPNH