Khabibulin Signs With Ice Dogs

Holdout goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin of the Phoenix Coyotes signed a contract with the Long Beach Ice Dogs of the International Hockey League on Friday.

Through agent Jay Grossman, the two-time NHL all-star asked the Coyotes for a $20-million, five-year contract nearly two months ago.

The proposal was rejected, and Khabibulin responded by demanding a trade, which hasn’t happened. Khabibulin turned down the team’s $9-million, three-year offer before the season.

Khabibulin could see his first action Friday at Houston.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our organization, it gives our fans a chance to see one of the premier goaltenders in the world play in our forum,” Coach and General Manager John Van Boxmeer said.

On Friday, the Ice Dogs beat Michigan, 4-3, in a shootout at Long Beach.