9/13 Recap: Zagrapan starts anew

Marek Zagrapan made his KHL debut Sunday, scoring what proved to be the game winning goal and finishing +1 as Severstal defeated Avtomobilist, 4-1. Zagrapan, chosen 13th overall at the 2005 draft, scored 56 goals and 127 points in three AHL seasons between Rochester and Portland. When his entry-level deal with the Sabres expired in the off-season, the RFA bolted for KHL colors in Cherepovets, an industrial city in northern Russia. Despite the move, the Sabres extended Zagrapan a 'qualifying offer' in June to retain his NHL rights. His KHL deal with Severstal is for three seasons, but he can opt out after year two if the Sabres were to offer a one-way NHL contract (or perhaps trade his rights). Also from Sunday, Jordon Southorn (+2, 1 SOG) assisted on the game winning goal as PEI edged Halifax, 7-4. The win gives the Rocket a 2-0 regular season jump before the 60+ QMJHLers in NHL camps start trickling back to junior. The Rocket next plays on Friday at Moncton. In the USHL, Mark Adams helped Chicago open the pre-season with a 6-2 win over Youngstown on Friday. The 6'3, 207-pounder was -1 as the Steel dropped the Saturday rematch, 3-1.