Nail Yakupov was taken first overall by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2012 NHL draft. Now the former Sarnia Sting is heading to the KHL.
The 26-year-old signed a two-year deal with SKA St. Petersburg Tuesday morning.
Yakupov was selected second overall by the Sting in the 2010 CHL Import Draft.
In 108 regular season games over two seasons with Sarnia, Yakupov scored 80 goals and totaled 170 points. The right-winger had another five points in six postseason games in 2012.
Yakupov was named the OHL and CHL Rookie of the year for the 2010-2011 season. He's the only Sting skater to have ever won either award.
Over six seasons in the NHL with the Oilers, Blues and Avalanche, Yakupov scored 62 goals and had 136 points in 350 career games.