Former Kootenay Ice forward Ben Maxwell is headed for Russia.
Maxwell, who suited up for the Ice from 2003-04 through 2007-08, has signed with HC Sochi of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) according to a press release issued by the team.
After being chosen with the second-overall pick at the 2003 WHL Bantam Draft by the Kootenay Ice, the native of North Vancouver played in 210 career WHL games, all with the Ice, amassing 64 goals and 159 points along the way.
He went on to be drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the second round (49th overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.
Maxwell skated in 47 career NHL games, bouncing from Montreal to the Atlanta Thrashers/Winnipeg Jets before joining the Anaheim Ducks.
His last season in North American came during the 2012-13 campaign when he played in 74 games with the AHL’s St. John’s IceCaps, an affiliate of the Jets.
During the 2014-15 season, Maxwell began the campaign with HC Ugra of the Kontinental Hockey League before being dealt to Karpat of the Finnish Elite League.
HC Sochi joined the KHL as an expansion team prior to the 2014-15 season before finishing fifth in the seven-team Tarasov Division (23-23-5).
