No. 1 pick Nail Yakupov cleared to play in Russia

• Yakupov had been suspended for not having international transfer card
• Hockey Canada and Russian hockey federation work out an agreement
• Yakupov could play against Alex Ovechkin on Monday

No. 1 overall pick Nail Yakupov got his wish and will be able to play in his native Russia after all.

He had been suspended this week for playing two games with the Kontinental Hockey League's Neftekhimik Nizhnemamsk without an international transfer card. Hockey Canada hadn't signed off on it because it said his junior team, the Ontario Hockey League's Sarnia Sting, had not released him from his contract.

But early Saturday, Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson and Russian Ice Hockey Federation President Alexander Medvedev worked out an agreement while at the International Ice Hockey Federation meetings in Tokyo.

"Hockey Canada and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation have announced that the OHL has determined that Yakupov had no independent legal advice when, at the age of 17 years old, he signed his contract with Sarnia," Hockey Canada said in a statement. "His release goes into effect immediately."

Yakupov had come to Canada to play junior hockey as some prominent European prospects do so they can adjust to the North American rink, style of play and language. He'd likely be playing with the Edmonton Oilers right now if not for the lockout, but they assigned him to the Sting because he still had junior eligibility. The IIHF fined the Russian federation 5,000 Swiss francs ($5,300) for violating the transfer rule.

Being in the KHL probably will be better for his development during the lockout because he'll be playing against adults instead of dominating again against teen-agers. He had 170 points in 107 games for the Sting and was shut out in both KHL games that he played.

The KHL said he should be available in time for Neftekhimik's next game against Dynamo Moscow, Alex Ovechkin's team, on Monday.

"The Kontinental Hockey League would like to express its gratitude for the flexibility and understanding shown by the Edmonton Oilers and Sarnia Sting hockey clubs during these negotiations," the league said in a statement.