NLA - SC Bern has found another import-defenseman for the upcoming season. From Lev Praha in the Kontinental Hockey League, the 27-year-old Canadian Marc-André Gragnani joins the Bernese on a one-year contract.

RUMOR - Earlier this month Alexei Kovalev had announced his retirement from professional hockey. Now, it looks like as if he might try to play another season for Lada Togliatti, his hometown team, as Russian website sovsport.ru reports.

VHL - Yegor Shastin will leave Switzerland and signed a new contract with Saryarka Karaganda in the VHL (Vysshaya Liga), the second highest Russian league, as vhlru.ru announced last month.

NLA - HC Lugano have signed a collaboration agreement with Swedish club IFK Arboga concerning the 19-year-old Swedish netminder Viktor Östlund. Östlund, son of former HCFG-goaltender Thomas, is in possession of a Swiss licence.

NLA - SC Bern has signed 48-year-old Daniel Brooks as second assistant coach besides Lars Leuenberger to support SCB's head coach Guy Boucher for the upcoming season.