New York, NY (My Sportsbook) - New York Islanders backup goaltender Wade Dubielewicz will be moving further east for the upcoming hockey season, having signed a deal to play in Russia.

The New York Times, citing a Russian sports paper, said Dubielewicz will spend 2008-2009 playing for Ak-Bars Kazan of that country's Continental Hockey League.

The 29-year-old has spent the last two seasons as a backup on Long Island to anointed but oft-injured netminder Rick DiPietro. He finished 9-9-1 with a 2.70 goals-against average in 20 games (17 starts) in 2007-08. In 37 career games over parts of four seasons, the British Columbia native is 16-13-1 with a 2.55 GAA.

Islanders general manager Garth Snow has signaled the team is not intending to re-sign several players this off-season as Dubielewicz joined forward Shawn Bates, who was placed on waivers earlier this week.

Ak-Bars Kazan has been a haven in recent times for former NHLers. The club signed 11 players during the NHL's cancelled 2004-05 season. Forward Niko Kapanen, formerly of the Phoenix Coyotes, signed a deal to play with the club earlier in the month.

Also, former NHL players and natives Oleg Petrov and Aleksey Morozov have found a home with the team. In addition, former Coyotes and Flyers goaltender Robert Esche played there last season and is expected to make his return this year alongside Dubielewicz.