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Former Maple Leafs Forward Handed Suspension Overseas
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward and Traktor Chelyabinsk forward Josh Leivo was suspended two games for no-showing the KHL Awards Ceremony recently.
It's been a rollercoaster for former Maple Leafs forward Joshua Leivo during his time overseas in Russia. From breaking the league's single-season scoring record, to being terminated abruptly by his former team; it's had its fair share of up and downs for sure.
However, there is a new season underway in Russia and so far, while Leivo has done well at the start of the year, he won't be able to play for the next two games.
Leivo Left Out; Forward Suspended For Failure To Appear At KHL Awards
According to sources, Leivo was suspended two games by Chelyabinsk for his failure to appear at the KHL Awards Ceremony, meaning he was ineligible for the games against Neftekhimik and SKA St. Petersburg.
Leivo also had his suspension appeal denied, meaning he will have to sit out regardless of if he had an excuse to be absent.
Luckily for Traktor, they were able to get the win against Neftekhimik thanks to a pair of goals from Vasily Glotov and Mihail Grigorenko.
Why Josh Leivo's Suspension Holds Significance
For Leivo, he's going to need to figure out what exactly is going on overseas as there have been several issues that are either keeping him from playing, or at the very least keeping a sterling reputation in Russia.
Last season, Leivo dominated the league to the tune of 49 goals, breaking the record set by Sergei Mozyakin in 2016-17, and also finished only nine points away from tying Nikita Gusev's record of 89 points in a season.
Drafted 86th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2011, Leivo skated in 84 games and registered 28 points (14 goals, 14 assists) before being dealt to Vancouver, then bouncing around the league before settling in Russia.
For now, it seems that once Leivo finishes his ban and gets back onto the ice, he will get back to his scoring ways, as he already has four points in two games this season (1 goal, 3 assists).
While there's no indication that Leivo will head back to North America anytime soon, if he keeps breaking records in Russia, he may have an NHL team calling him in the very near future.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 9 | 721 ANSWERS Former Maple Leafs Forward Handed Suspension Overseas Do you think Josh Leivo will end up staying in Russia or head back to North America? | ||
| Stay in Russia | 505 | 70 % |
| Head Back To NA | 216 | 30 % |
| List of polls | ||