London Knights defenseman and top 2013 NHL Draft prospect Nikita Zadorov will not be playing for Russia at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Zadorov posted Wednesday on his personal Twitter account, "I not going to Ufa #WJC2013 I coming back to London."
A 6-foot-5.25, 230-pound blueliner, Zadorov is No. 7 on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary ranking of Ontario Hockey League skaters for the 2013 NHL Draft. He has two goals and 10 assists in 31 games for London, and his plus-26 rating leads all first-year OHL players, and is fifth overall.
Also reportedly released from the team is center Bogdan Yakimov. The 6-5, 202-pound forward plays for Penza in Russia's second division, and is No. 2 on Central Scouting's preliminary ranking of Russian skaters for this year's draft.
Contact Adam Kimelman at akimelman@nhl.com. Follow him on Twitter: @NHLAdamK
