BRATISLAVA – In order to maintain their title and being successful in the Champions Hockey League, Slovan Bratislava has acquired Slovakian forwards Roman Kukumberg and Lubomir Vaic back to Slovakia.
Kukumberg, a 2004 Toronto Maple Leafs fourth-round draft pick, returns to Slovan Bratislava after an unsatisfying season with Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk in Russia. In 59 games with Slovan during the 2006-2007 season, the forward notched 18 goals and 26 assists. A two-time Slovakia player at the world championships, Kukumberg grew up in Bratislava but made his debut in the Slovakian Extraliga for Dukla Trencin where he earned not only a spot on the national team but was also drafted. He played for the farm team Toronto Marlies (AHL) in 2005-2006 but only managed 8 points that season. In addition, Slovan also signed 31-year-old Lubomir Vaic from Sparta Prague. The former NHLer returns to his homeland after having served nine seasons in a string of countries: USA, Canada, Germany, Finland, Russia and the Czech Republic. Last season, Vaic represented Sparta Prague at the European Champions Cup. Arriving from Finland is 29-year-old defenceman Henrik Petré. The Swede played the past two seasons for SaiPa Lappeenranta and Assat Pori in the Finnish SM-Liiga. Petré represented Sweden once; during the 1998 World U20 Championship. |