Max Comtois Leaving North America To Continue Hockey Career

He had what seemed to be a breakout season in 2020-21, but it was all downhill from there, and now former second-round pick Max Comtois is leaving the NHL to play for Dynamo Moscow in the KHL.

Maxime Comtois has signed in the KHL with Dynamo Moscow. https://t.co/sLGx1ObfaN
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) July 18, 2024

Comtois was selected by the Anaheim Ducks with the 50th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, and in 2020-21, his first full season with the Ducks, registered 16 goals and 33 points in 55 games in the shortened season with a +3 plus/minus rating.

But he wasn't able to build on that in the following two seasons, failing to reach double-digits in goals or even 20 points, while recording a minus-37 over those two years with the Ducks, and seeing his time on ice slowly diminish.

Anaheim did not extend him a qualifying offer last summer as an RFA, and he became a free agent. He couldn't find an NHL taker, however, and landed an AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves. He posted a respectable 19 goals and 44 points in 65 games, and earned a two-way contract with the Carolina Hurricanes, but played in only one game for them.

Now, still just 25, Comtois will try his hand in Russia, with hopes of finding his game and perhaps returning to the NHL someday in the future.