Photo by Michael Caples/MiHockey

Andrei Bakanov signs USHL tender with Cedar Rapids

By @MichaelCaples –

The RoughRiders have secured a Grizzly.

Today, the USHL announced that Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 16U forward Andrei Bakanov has signed a league tender with Cedar Rapids.

The tender secures Bakanov’s spot on the RoughRiders’ roster for the 2018-19 season; the club forfeits its first-round pick in the Phase 1 (Futures) Draft in May.

Bakanov, a native of Russia, recently committed to the University of Michigan.

“Cedar Rapids has a great history of producing tremendous players,” Bakanov said via the USHL. “The plan that Coach [Mark] Carlson provided my family and me not only for on ice development , but also developing as a student and person, far exceeded our expectations. I was able to see a game on my visit and the support of the fans for the team really excited me.”

“Overall, I felt an immediate connection to the team and the city, and was honored when offered a tender to play there for the next couple of seasons. I was and still am very excited for the opportunity to play for and call Cedar Rapids my home!”

A 6-foot-2, 192-pound forward, Bakanov posted 112 points in 77 games for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies program this past season, helping them reach the USA Hockey national tournament.

“We are very excited to welcome Andrei to the RoughRider family,” said Carlson, who is also the RoughRiders’ general manager. “He has a nice blend of skill, size and character and we look forward to helping him develop as a hockey player and as a person. His strong work ethic will enable Andrei to develop into an excellent hockey player.”