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Young defenseman Adam Almquist appeared in only two games for the Red Wings last season, scoring one goal.

(AP File Photo)

Detroit Red Wings defense prospect Adam Almquist will play for the Kontinental Hockey League's Severestal Cherepovets, according to a report by Russia's rsport.ru.

The club's Web site confirmed that Almquist signed a two-year deal.

Almquist is a restricted free agent. The Red Wings were anticipating his departure for Europe after he indicated following his second season with the Grand Rapids Griffins that he no longer wanted to play in the AHL.

Almquist had little chance of cracking the Red Wings lineup in 2014-15 and his future with the organization was murky since the team is higher on several other young defensemen (Xavier Ouellet, Alexey Marchenko, Ryan Sproul, Mattias Backman and Nick Jensen).

Almquist, 23, had a strong season with the Griffins, picking up 53 points (including 49 assists) in 73 games before an injury on a hit from behind limited him to one playoff game.

He appeared in two games with the Red Wings (one goal, averaging 17:13 in ice time).

He's a good skater and puck-mover, but his size (5-11, 178) raises concerns about his ability to play defense in the NHL. He was the Red Wings' final pick in the 2009 entry draft (210th overall in the seventh round).

Almquist told a Swedish newspaper earlier this month that he was contemplating returning to Sweden to play for his former club, HV-71.

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