Cougars trade for 6’5″ offensive threat

The Prince George Cougars are positioning themselves for a deep playoff run this spring.

Prince George Cougars General Manager Todd Harkins announced today that the Cougars have acquired 1998-born forward Nikita Popugaev (Moscow, RUS) from the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for 1998-born forward Yan Khomenko, 1999-born forward Justin Almeida, a second round pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft and a fifth round pick in the 2017 Draft.

Internationally he represented Team Russia during the 2016 CHL Canada Russia Series and will be suiting up for Team Orr in the 2017 Sherwin-Williams CHL NHL Top Prospects Game which takes place on January 30 in Quebec City. Popugaev was selected 22^nd overall by the Warriors in the 2015 CHL Import Draft and is entering his first year of NHL draft eligibility. NHL Central Scouting’s 2017 Preliminary Player’s to Watch List gave Popugaev an ‘A’ rating which indicates a potential first round candidate.

“We’ve added a player to our lineup that can be an offensive game-changer for us,” said Cougars General Manager Todd Harkins. “Nikita is one of the most skilled and dominant offensive players in the Western Hockey League and he’s got a tremendously bright future in the game. He makes us better in all areas and he will play a big part in our success not only this year, but next season as well.

“Both Yan Khomenko and Justin Almeida have been great soldiers for us this season and I know that both are going to step in and be impact players for the Moose Jaw Warriors. But when the opportunity came up to add a player like Nikita Popugaev to the Prince George Cougars organization we couldn’t afford not to make this deal. We’re thrilled to have Nikita join the Prince George Cougars.”

Popugaev is expected to be here in time for tomorrow night’s home matchup with the Victoria Royals. Tomorrow’s game marks the start of a weekend double-header with the Victoria Royals at the CN Centre.

– Prince George Cougars

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