Word has is that Isles backup goaltender Wade Dubielewicz has signed a 2 year deal with Ak Bars Kazan of the new Russian League (KHL). Financial terms of the deal has yet to be disclosed. The official team website (www.ak-bars.ru) has made the deal known. Speculation has it that Dubie is using the signing as a heads up to interested NHL teams that he is available but confusion surrounding rules concerning contract reneging with the new league makes it all but guaranteed that he will indeed play in Russia the next couple of seasons. In a side note, comments from Kazan fans on the team's website have been fairly critical if not scathing questioning Dubie's ability as a professional goalie and going as far as to demean his skills as sub-Robert Esche, the former NHL goalie he will be replacing as the new number 1.Dubie played in 37 games over parts of 4 seasons with the Isles. The 2007-08 campaign was his first and only as a full-time backup for Rick DiPietro. He holds a 16-13-1 record with the Isles with a 2.55 goals against average and a .920 save percentage. He will forever remain a local hero after his 4 consecutive wins to close out the 2006-07 season vaulted the Isles in to the playoffs following a near heartbreaking, but eventually rejoiceful SO winner in the final game of the season against the New Jersey Devils sealed the #8 spot in the Eastern Conference. Owing to an injury to DiPietro, Dubie started the first and only playoff game of his career, eventually losing 4-1 to the Buffalo Sabres.
A supposed disagreement between Isles' GM Garth Snow and coach Ted Nolan about Dubie's conditioning and fitness paired with what was believed by Dubie and his agent to be a lowball offer from the team created an irreparable fissure between the goalie and the franchise. Following the breakdown of contract talks in early June, it became apparent that Dubie would be looking for work elsewhere. We wish Dubie the best in Russia and will update if any news changes on his professional relocation.
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