When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Josh Ho-Sang to a PTO last summer, the decision was met with plenty of intrigue from the fanbase. Here was a former 1st round pick who had never really had a true shot under the Isles to really grab the ball and run with it.
Ho-Sang didn't take his opportunity in Toronto for granted, playing hard during training camp to turn his PTO into an AHL contract, with the eventual hopes of turning that AHL contract into an NHL opportunity. Sadly, it never got that far as a middling AHL performance, an untimely injury and a poor showing on the world stage at the Olympics derailed Ho-Sang's chances of landing an NHL deal.
On Saturday, the next steps for the 26-year-old were revealed, as a social media post from HC Salavat (Ufa in the KHL) seemed to indicate that Ho-Sang is headed to Russia to resume his pro career. If the name Salavat Yulaev sounds familiar, that's because it should. It's where 2020 15th overall pick Rodion Amirov had been playing prior to his brain tumor diagnosis.
Ho-Sang notched 16 goals and 35 points in 47 games for the Toronto Marlies last season, good for a share of 5th overall in team scoring with winger Bobby McMann, but not quite good enough to earn a deal with the Leafs this summer, as Joey Anderson, Alex Steeves and Brett Seney all finished ahead of Ho-Sang in scoring among forwards.
It sure is a bit of an odd time to contemplate a jump to the KHL, but perhaps the options were limited for Ho-Sang and he simply took the best offer from the ones he received. Best of luck to Josh on his upcoming season overseas - and who knows? Perhaps we'll see him back in North America at the end of the KHL season if he performs well in Europe.
