Moscow Spartak has reached an agreement with Mikhail Maltsev, a forward who previously played for the Russian national team family of players in the Los Angeles Kings organization. The announcement came from the press service of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Maltsev will remain with Spartak through the current season, continuing his professional journey in Russia after a stint abroad.
This season Maltsev skated with the Ontario Reign in the American Hockey League, contributing 14 points in 21 appearances, alongside four goals and ten assists. Earlier in his career he spent time in the National Hockey League with the Colorado Avalanche and the New Jersey Devils, experiences that shaped his development as a versatile forward capable of contributing in various roles across top leagues.
The 25-year-old left winger, a St. Petersburg native and a product of a well-regarded hockey school, progressed through the domestic system from youth levels to professional play. He appeared in the KHL from 2017 to 2019 and then joined SKA during the 2020/2021 season, tallying a combined 11 points across 52 league appearances. Maltsev’s journey reflects the path of a player who has blended Russian training with international competition to refine his game.
Spartak sits at the top of the KHL Western Conference after collecting 56 points from 41 games. The team is preparing for a quick road trip, with an upcoming match scheduled for December 19 against Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, a test against a disciplined opponent that could shape the pole position in the standings as the season nears its midpoint. This development adds to Spartak’s growing confidence and depth in their forward group.
A separate report notes a disciplinary action involving a Canadian ice hockey player who was suspended for an on-ice hit delivered to a Russian opponent, highlighting the ongoing player safety discussions that frame north American and European leagues alike. This kind of incident underscores the professional environment Maltsev and his peers navigate as they compete across leagues that emphasize skill, speed, and above all, safety on the ice. (Source: KHL press service attribution)