ECAC Hockey

July 27, 2010

Danis to Hone Skills in KHL

Amur Khabarovsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) announced Tuesday that it has agreed to a contract for the 2010-11 season with former Brown standout Yann Danis.

Danis joins the Khabarovsk after spending last season with the New Jersey Devils. The Lafontaine, Quebec native appeared in 12 games, posting a goals-against average of 2.06 and .923 save percentage.

Danis split the 2008-09 season between the New York Islanders (NHL) and Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL). He began the season with the Sound Tigers, where he went 7-3-0, with a 2.26 goals-against average in 10 AHL appearances.

Danis appeared in an NHL career-high 31 games, posting a 10-17-3 mark, while leading the team with two shutouts, a .910 save percentage, and 2.86 goals-against average. He joined the Islanders as a free agent on July 2, 2008 after four-plus seasons with the Montreal Canadiens’ organization.

Born June 21, 1981, Danis appeared in 176 games with Hamilton (AHL) from the end of 2003-04 through 2007-08. He made his NHL debut by appearing in six games with the Canadiens during the 2005-06 campaign, including a shutout in his first start, October 12, 2005. Not drafted, Danis signed with Montreal as a free agent on March 19, 2004.

Danis played four seasons at Brown, where he was named Second-Team All-League in 2002 and 2003. In 2003-04, he was named First-Team All-League, as well as Goaltender of the Year, and Player of the Year, and First-Team All-America. Danis was named to the League’s All-Decade Team for 2000-09.

Following is a question-and-answer session with Danis conducted by the staff of Amur Khabarovsk shortly after announcement of his signing:

Question: You’ve never been in Russia or in Europe?

Danis: “In Russia, never. But 10 years ago I was in France.”

Question: Was it a hard decision to move to Russia?

Danis: “I will not lie, it was not easy. After the end of the season I considered all option and thought seriously about how to try my hand in the KHL. There was a proposal from Amur and we started to negotiate.

“I started to look at Khabarovsk on the map to see where you guys are. I was a little apprehensive, but then began to read about the city on the internet, looking at photos, videos and talking with guys who have been in Khabarovsk – and everything fell into place.”

Question: Do you know that over the past five years, Khabarovsk has sold out every home game?

Danis: “At first, I had no idea about it. But then the guys from the club sent me links to videos about the team, and I saw what was happening in the stands. Definitely, this was an important factor in the decision. It is pleasant to play with full grandstands and know that the fans support you.”

Question: In Khabarovsk, speaking about you the fans first and foremost mention that you were the backup to Martin Brodeur in the past year. The situation is contradictory: on the one hand it is great to play on a team with a living legend; on the other hand, you do not appear in many games. Is moving to the KHL an attempt to shed the label of “backup to Brodeur”?

Danis: “Not exactly. Last season I did not play as much as I would have liked. I want to be the man on whom the team can rely. I want to play as often as possible to win as often as possible and get Khabarovsk in the playoffs.”

Question: What are three things that you will take with you to Russia?

Danis: “First, my laptop so I can download movies, television shows and such. Secondly, the English-Russian phrase book. I want to understand and speak in Russian. I have already been warned that the first things guys will teach me are bad words (smile). And, third, a photograph of my family and son.”