ECHL: Worcester Railers Re-Sign Russian Forward

The Worcester Railers kicked off the week by signing forward Andrei Bakanov. This will be Bakanov’s third season with the Railers. Bakanov had 24 points, splitting them with 12 goals and 12 assists in 62 games played. During the 2022-23 season, he was under contract with the American Hockey League’s Springfield Thunderbirds. He played in 35 games with the Railers, putting up 11 points with four goals and seven assists.

Before the ECHL, the Russian forward played in the KHL between 2020-2022. He played with Kunlun Red Star and HK Sochi. In 2020 with Kunlun, he put up five points with four goals and one assist in 32 games. With HK, he put up four points, three goals, and an assist. The 22-year-old forward would spend two years in North America before he went to the KHL as he spent a year in the USHL with the Cedar Rapid Roughriders, where he put up five goals and nine assists for 14 points in 51 games and a year in the OHL with the Guelph Storm where he had 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in 55 games.

“I love everything about [Worcester], that’s why I’m coming back,” Bakanov said. “It’s special for me and my family. I’m very excited to come back and looking forward to next season.”
Bakanov on returning to the Railers (Via Worcester Railers Press Release)

The Railers got a good one in Andrei Bakanov. He is still relatively young, making his re-signing important. The Railers will feed off his energy in the rink, making the 2024-2025 season an important watch.