GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Jan Mursak, who was sent down to Grand Rapids Griffins following an injury-riddled stay in Detroit, has decided not to risk the wait to play with another NHL organization next season.

The 25-year-old right winger confirmed Tuesday he signed a two-year contract with Amur Khabarovsk, a team in the KHL. The deal, announced in Russia, is for one season with player option for the second season.

“I would love to stay here in the states, but so far in the NHL I haven’t had much luck with the injuries,” Mursak said. “I think it was time to move on and try something new. I got a really good offer and I couldn’t refuse it.”

Mursak, Detroit's sixth-round pick in 2006 from Maribor, Slovenia, arrived in Grand Rapids in late February after he was waived by the Red Wings after two games and an injured collarbone. Over three seasons with Detroit, he had two goals and two assists in 46 games.

This year, he suffered a collarbone injury in the season opener Jan. 19 at St. Louis and returned a month later. He was placed on waivers Feb. 22. He also broke his ankle during the preseason in 2011-12 and was out until Jan. 12.

“I just haven’t had a chance to really be healthy and I think I’ll be better off in the bigger rinks in the KHL,” he said. “I won’t say I won’t be back. We’ll see, and after two years, maybe things will be different.”

Mursak, who has played five seasons with the Griffins, contributed four goals and 12 assists in 23 regular-season games this season. In the first-round playoff series against Houston, he chipped in a goal and two assists.



The signing, he said, won't change his postseason resolve with the Griffins, who open the Western Conference semifinals on Friday at Toronto.

“I want to finish the season strong and hopefully we can win it,” Mursak said. “That would be a good way for my last season, for now.”