Maple Leafs' Petri Kontiola explains leaving the NHL and his return

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed forward Petri Kontiola to 1-year, $1.1-million contract in July. General Manager Dave Nonis was impressed with Kontiola, who paid $590,000 to get out of his contract with Traktor Chelyabinsk.

"This is one of the more motivated people I've ever seen," Nonis told the National Post. "He spent close to half a million dollars of his own money to get out of a contract to come over here and play. Not a lot of guys would do that."

Kontiola was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2004 but was overshadowed by Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. After having successful AHL seasons, he was traded to the Anaheim Ducks and decided he was going back to the KHL.

After five years away from the AHL and NHL, Kontiola wanted his chance to play and when the offer came, he did what he had to do.

"How does it go? I got an offer and I signed it," Kontiola said. "In the back of my head, I was thinking that I’m not done over here. So that’s why I’m back."

The soon-to-be 30-year-old played 12 games for the Blackhawks in 2007-08, scoring five points. He wants to show he can play at a higher level and is hoping the Maple Leafs represent that chance.

Tappara Tampere general manager Mikko Leinonen said, "I think he’s a gifted player with the puck. He makes things happen. But he needs good players with him."