Introducing the Dragons! First five players on the roster - Rybar, Bryntsev, Bishoff, Akolzin and Quinney
The Shanghai Dragons Hockey Club is excited to announce the signing of five players for the upcoming season:
- Patrik Rybar (goaltender) – 2-year contract
- Alexander Bryntsev (defenseman) – 1-year contract
- Jake Bishoff (defenseman) – 1-year contract
- Pavel Akolzin (forward) – 2-year contract
- Gage Quinney (forward) – 1-year contract
Igor Varitsky, General Manager of the Shanghai Dragons:
– We’re proud to unveil the first members of our roster for the new season to our fans.
Although everyone knows the short-term challenges we faced in putting the team together, I believe we’ve built a solid core that the coaches can turn into a winning squad. When building the roster, we focused on experienced and skilled players, since we don’t have the luxury of a long adjustment period. The preseason will be short, and Gérard Gallant’s coaching staff will need to get the team playing their systemas quickly as possible. All in all, the head coach is satisfied with our player picks; they align well with his style of play.
Patrik Rybar, Slovakia’s national team goalie, spent last season with Spartak and Kunlun Red Star. A reliable and experienced goaltender, he combines great body metrics with smart positioning, quick reflexes, and impressive mobility, which is crucial in modern hockey.
On the blue line, the team has signed contracts with Alexander Bryntsev and Jake Bishoff.
Alexander Bryntsev – a defenseman with excellent skating, sharp stickhandling skills, and steady performance on both ends of the ice.
Jake Bishoff – a solid two-way defenseman with nearly 400 AHL games and NHL experience with Vegas. Plays 20–22 minutes per game, excels on the power play and penalty kill, and consistently blocks shots.
Among the forwards, Pavel Akolzin is a Gagarin Cup champion. Despite his big size, he is a technically adept forward who can contribute at both ends of the ice.
Rounding out today’s signings is another standout from the AHL, Gage Quinney – highly skilled center with excellent hockey IQ and a confident presence at the faceoff circle. More than 400 AHL games, nearly 300 points, including 36 last season. Like Bishoff, he has NHL experience with the Vegas Golden Knights. Able to generate opportunities for others or capitalize on them himself, with top-notch playmaking ability.
Patrik Rybar
Position: Goaltender
Nationality: Slovakia
Age: 31
Height: 190
Weight: 91
Catches: Left
Jersey number: 42
In the 2024–25 season, he played for Spartak and Kunlun Red Star, playing 27 games, securing 12 wins, a 3.23 GAA, and a 90.7% save percentage.
Alexander Bryntsev
Position: Defenseman
Nationality: Russian
Age: 30
Height: 193
Weight: 96
Shoots: left
Jersey number: 74
In the 2024–25 season, he contributed 7 points (1+6) over 50 games with Amur.
Jake Bishoff
Position: Defenseman
Nationality: USA
Age: 30
Height: 185
Weight: 88
Shoots: left
Jersey number: 28
Played in the AHL for Bridgeport Sound Tigers (2017), Chicago Wolves (2017–19, 2020), and Henderson Silver Knights (2020–25). In the 2019–20 season, he appeared in 4 NHL games for the Vegas Golden Knights. Over 392 AHL games, he has recorded 115 points (27 goals + 88 assists). Last season with Henderson Silver Knights, he played 59 games and tallied 21 points (3+18).
Pavel Akolzin
Position: Forward
Nationality: Russia/Kazakhstan
Age: 34
Height: 196
Weight: 102
Shoots: left
Jersey number: 18
In the 2024–25 season, he played 64 games for Metallurg and SKA, recording 16 points (10 goals + 6 assists). 2024 Gagarin Cup champion.
Gage Quinney
Position: Forward
Nationality: USA
Age: 29
Height: 183
Weight: 93
Shoots: left
Jersey number: 72
Quinney has played in the AHL for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (2017–18), Chicago Wolves (2018–20), and Henderson Silver Knights (2020–25), totaling 409 games, 291 points (119+172), and a +24 rating. He has NHL experience with the Vegas Golden Knights (3 games, 1 assist in 2019–20). In his most recent season with Henderson, he tallied 36 points (9 goals, 27 assists) in 50 games.
Shanghai Dragons Media Department
