Wolski leaving Capitals to join KHL’s Torpedo

Wojtek Wolski (17) tries to control the puck as he skates around New York Islanders defenseman Thomas Hickey (14) during the first period of an NHL hockey game at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., Saturday, March 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill)

Sportsnet Staff May 20, 2013, 2:53 PM

Veteran forward Wojtek Wolski won’t be back with the Washington Capitals next season as he has signed a contract to play in the Kontinental Hockey League.

The former first-round pick – No. 21 overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft — will join Torpedo Nizhni Novgorod.

Transaction News: Torpedo signs Wojtek Wolski. In parts of 451 GP in the NHL, the 26-year-old has registered 99G and 168A.

— KHL (@khl_eng) May 20, 2013

Thanks so much to everyone for all your tweets. Wish things worked out better in Washington #Caps but am excited about playing in the #KHL

— Wojtek Wolski (@WojtekWolski86) May 20, 2013

The 27-year-old struggled to find his game in Washington after posting just four goals and nine points in 27 games. Moreover, Wolski was a healthy scratch in every game for the Caps in their first-round series loss to the New York Rangers.

In his eight-year NHL career, Wolski has totaled 267 points — 99 goals and 168 assists — in 451 games with the Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, Florida Panthers, Rangers ,and Capitals.

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