Kirill Kabanov Photo Courtesy NHL Images

28-Oct-10 Lewiston, ME (QMJHL) - The Lewiston MAINEiacs have announced a major trade, acquiring highly touted NHL top prospect forward Kirill Kabanov from the Moncton Wildcats, in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2011, a fourth round draft pick in 2011, a first round pick in the 2011 CHL Import Draft, and a fourth round draft pick in 2012.

"Kirill Kabanov has the ability and the opportunity to become a franchise player with the MAINEiacs. While it was a pleasure for me to get to know Kirill on a personal level during our time together in Moncton, the decision to make our move for Kirill was taken to improve our organization on and off the ice for today, tomorrow, and beyond," said MAINEiacs' Managing Consultant and Governor Bill Schurman.

"Kirill is an engaging personality, whose talents will add to the character of the Lewiston MAINEiacs. We feel strongly that his ability and passion to one day play in the NHL as a New York Islander will motivate Kirill to continue to work towards his dream as a MAINEiac," Schurman noted.

Kabanov was born on July 16, 1992 in Moscow, Russia. The 6'2", 175 lbs. forward was originally selected by the Wildcats with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 Canadian Hockey League Import Draft.

"Right now, I really believe that it is time to invest in a player that can make a huge difference on the score sheet, joining our already talented group of forwards," stated MAINEiacs' General Manager Roger Shannon.

In his rookie season with the Wildcats, injuries limited Kabanov to just 22 regular season games. However, he made the most of his time on the ice, picking up 10 goals, 13 assists, 23 points, and 34 penalty minutes. For Team Russia in the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships Under - 18 Tournament, Kabanov tallied 11 points in 7 games enroute to a silver medal.

"I think it's an exciting time for the Lewiston MAINEiacs to get a player of Kabanov's stature," said MAINEiacs' Head Coach Jean-Francois Houle.

"He is very gifted offensively, and is a threat every time he touches the ice. Adding him to this team adds speed and skill to an already dynamic offense. With open arms, we welcome Kirill to our organization," Houle added.

As a 16 year-old, Kabanov was the youngest player in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the highest level of play in Russia. He played in 6 regular season games and 4 playoff games for HC Spartak Moscow. After his playing rights were sold to Salavat Yulaev Ufa, a dispute between Ufa and Kabanov on an NHL escape clause caused Kabanov to enter the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Kabanov petitioned IIHF to allow him to play in the QMJHL, which was granted after the begining of the 2009-10 season.

Following the 2009-10 campaign with Moncton, the dynamic skilled Russian entered the NHL Entry Draft, where he was selected 65th overall (3rd round) by the New York Islanders this past June in Los Angeles.

The connection between the Islanders and the MAINEiacs is a natural fit, as Lewiston Assistant General Manager Tim Schurman was also the Long Island, NY NHL club's talent scout for three years, and very familiar to the 18 year-old star.

"This is a tall, lanky kid with a very dynamic skill set," Schurman pointed out of his stature.

"He likes to skate with the puck and handles it very well. When he has the puck he is a dual threat, he can thread seams with his vision or he can put the puck in the net himself. He is shifty with the puck and although he has some room to grow, strength wise, he protects the puck well. He also does not shy away from going to the net and does have a bit of an edge to his game," Schurman noted of the newly added forward.

Kabanov's will join the MAINEiacs upon United States immigration approval, which may happen in time for next weeks home games with the Quebec Remparts on Wednesday November 3rd, or by the weekend doubleheader with the Val-d'Or Foreurs on Friday November 5th & Saturday November 6th.