Sharks signing Akim Aliu to AHL tryout deal with Barracuda originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
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Editor’s Note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California’s Sharks coverage. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng
Akim Aliu is joining the Sharks organization.
Aliu will be joining the San Jose Barracuda on a tryout, general manager Mike Grier confirmed to Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli on Wednesday.
Hearing Akim Aliu is returning to the ice.#sjsharks GM Mike Grier confirmed today he is signing Aliu to an AHL tryout deal for remainder of the season with @sjbarracuda. Aliu last played pro in 2020 in Czechia and has battled through years of surgeries and rehab, but his dream…
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 20, 2024
Aliu, 34, was a Chicago Blackhawks second-round pick in the 2007 NHL Draft.
In his rookie OHL season in 2005-06, Windsor Spitfires teammate Steve Downie cross-checked teammate Aliu, knocking out seven of his teeth, because of the 16-year-old’s refusal to participate in a team hazing ritual. Both were suspended and dealt after the incident.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound winger-defenseman since has had a long, professional career in the NHL, AHL, ECHL, Sweden, Russia, Slovakia and Czechia. He has two goals and one assist in seven games with the Calgary Flames from 2011 to 2013.
In November 2019, Aliu went public with allegations that his Rockford IceHogs head coach from 2008 to 2010, Bill Peters, had directed racial epithets at him.
Aliu last played professionally in January 2020 in Czechia.
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