Eric Belanger leaves KHL, retires
Face-off specialist Eric Belanger was unable to secure gainful NHL employment this past off-season, and instead signed a deal with KHL club Automobilist. Belanger's Russian sojourn has ended, however, after only seven games according to RDS reporter Francois Gagnon:
Eric Belanger, who was living the KHL experience in Yekaterinburg (Automobilist) is coming back. He was home sick
— Francois Gagnon (@GagnonFrancois) September 25, 2013
The Edmonton Journal's John MacKinnon elaborates further, passing along the detail that Belanger has decided to call it a career:
After 7 games with #KHL club, ex #oilers C Eric Belanger announces his retirement. #nhl #yeg
— John MacKinnon (@rjmackinnon) September 25, 2013
Belanger, a 35-year-old native of Sherbrooke, Quebec, appeared in 820 games over the course of his 13-year NHL career.