Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Xavier Ouellet to sign in Belarus

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Xavier Ouellet has agreed to sign with Dinamo Minsk, a team based in Belarus that competes in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

That team announced the pending transaction via a release on Monday.

Ouellet, 30, spent the past two seasons under an NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins but was never recalled to the NHL roster during that span. Signed by former Penguins general manager Ron Hextall to a two-way contract in July of 2022, Ouellet had a salary cap hit of $762,500.

A native of France, the left-handed Ouellet served as an alternate captain with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton each of the past two seasons.

In 2022-23, he was selected to the American Hockey League’s (AHL) All-Star Classic but was not able to compete due to an undisclosed injury. During the 2023-24 season, Ouellet appeared in 63 games and scored 25 points (two goals, 23 assists).

Regarding his NHL status, Ouellet is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

He is one of 16 players currently signed to NHL contracts with the Pittsburgh Penguins who are scheduled to become free agents this upcoming offseason.

Unrestricted

Forwards — Jeff Carter, Jansen Harkins, Vinnie Hinostroza, Radim Zohorna

Defensemen — Taylor Fedun, Ouellet, Jack Rathbone, Dmitri Samorukov, Ryan Shea

Goaltenders — Alex Nedeljkovic, Ludovic Waeber

Restricted

Forwards — Corey Andonovski, Emil Bemstrom, Maxim Cajkovic, Dillon Hamaliuk

Defenseman — P.O Joseph

Notes:

• Carter has announced he has retired.

• Waeber signed with EHC Kloten of Switzerland’s National League on May 24.