Danil Gushchin Returns to Russia, Signs with Avtomoblist Yekaterinburg

Danil Gushchin, a former prospect for the San Jose Sharks, is making a significant move back to his roots, signing a two-year deal with Avtomoblist Yekaterinburg in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). This transition comes on the heels of Gushchin not receiving a qualifying offer from the Colorado Avalanche, prompting him to return to his hometown team.

Gushchin’s journey began nearly a decade ago when he moved to North America to join the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the 2018-19 season. His talent caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection by the Sharks in the third round, 76th overall, during the 2020 NHL Draft.

He made his professional debut at the end of the 2021-22 season, appearing in several games for the San Jose Barracuda after concluding his junior career. Gushchin continued to develop, completing his first full professional season and even making his NHL debut, where he played two games with the Sharks.

Throughout his tenure with the Barracuda, Gushchin established himself as a reliable player, consistently earning NHL call-ups, until he left the Sharks organization after the 2024-25 season. Following his stint with the Colorado Avalanche organization, where he played exclusively in the AHL, Gushchin entered the free agent market this summer.

In his time with the Barracuda, Gushchin recorded an impressive 70 goals and 150 points over 182 AHL games. At the NHL level, he contributed with two goals and five points in 18 games, showcasing his potential on a larger stage.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.