Photo By Lisa McRitchie, all rights reserved.

On July 22nd, an article published on NRA.lv mentioned that Kristians Pelss was negotiating a try-out contract with Dinamo Riga of the KHL.  The article notes that Pelss impressed the Dinamo coaches during summer workouts at the the team's facilities and he would be participating in Dinamo's training camp in Poland.  Three days later, NRA.lv included Pelss on the list of Dinamo Riga training camp attendees and noted the coaching staff would like to see him in training camp.

I spoke with Didzis Rudmanis, the man behind the Latvian Hockey News Report, about the signing.  Rudmanis informed me that Pelss signed the try-out contract as a formality in order to participate in Dinamo's training camp, and could not legally participate without the deal. Rudmanis believes Pelss has a chance to land a spot on Dinamo's fourth line and might sign a contract if offered one, but doesn't believe Pelss will stay in Latvia next season.

Pelss was drafted in the 7th round, 175th overall, by Dinamo Riga in the 2010 KHL Junior Draft and was drafted in the 7th round, 181st overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.  Pelss played for the Edmonton Oil Kings in 2010-11, a move garnering praise for the Oilers.  In October, Pelss talked about his early struggles with the transition to the North American game, but by late March, Pelss grew an inch, gained ten pounds and a command of the game and language.