So much for Russia.

Gilbert Brulé was back on the ice in Saco on Saturday morning, skating with the Portland Pirates during their game-day skate after agreeing to a one-year, two-way contract with the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League. That contract is subject to Brulé clearing waivers, which is a requirement under the collective bargaining agreement. If no other NHL club claims him by noon Sunday, Brulé will be a member of the Coyotes’ organization.

Phoenix and Portland management declined comment Saturday, and said they would comment only after the waiver period.

Brulé, 26, played in eight games with the Pirates this season under a professional tryout agreement, and was heating up, with six goals in his four most recent games with the club. He began to entertain an offer with Metalurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League, based in Russia. That club went so far as to publish on its website that the 2005 NHL first-round pick had agreed to sign with the team, and his arrival was imminent.

“We had offered him a contract but obviously he was able to get significantly more money there,” Coyotes’ assistant GM and Pirates’ GM Brad Treliving said via text message Monday.

In 308 career NHL games (including playoffs), Brulé has scored 45 goals and added 53 assists with 154 penalty minutes for the Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers and Coyotes.

In 103 career AHL games, he has 34 goals, 31 assists and 149 penalty minutes. He sat out most of last season to deal with personal and family issues after a short stint in Switzerland.

Brulé attempted a comeback during training camp this summer with the Coyotes. Given the long layoff, the Coyotes decided to give him a shot, but first with the Pirates, to help Brulé get his legs back underneath him.

After four games with no goals and just one point, the speedy forward caught fire, netting six goals in four games. Still hampered by a minor groin injury, Brulé was in and out of the lineup before reports of his deal in Russia surfaced.

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