River Dragons Acquire Veteran Forward Yaroslav Yevdokimov in Three-Team Trade

COLUMBUS, GA - The Columbus River Dragons have acquired veteran forward Yaroslav Yevdokimov in a three-team trade that sends forward Kyle Heitzner to the Stockton Thunder and goaltender Nick Grabko to the Fresno Falcons.

Yevdokimov, 33, returns to Columbus after making two appearances for the River Dragons last season, recording one goal and three assists. The veteran forward brings an established scoring pedigree and professional experience across multiple leagues to the Dragons' lineup.

“We’re excited to bring Yaroslav Yevdokimov back to Columbus. He’s an electric offensive player who can change a game, and we’re hopeful he’ll be in the lineup this weekend. Our fans will be excited to see him back in a River Dragons uniform,” said Dragons COO Jeff Croop.

Yevdokimov began last season as captain of the Biloxi Breakers, posting eight goals and 16 assists in 14 games before earning a call-up to the ECHL’s Greenville Swamp Rabbits. During that stretch, his FPHL rights were traded to Columbus. Following his two appearances with the Dragons, Yevdokimov received another ECHL opportunity with the Utah Grizzlies, recording three goals and two assists in 14 games. His FPHL rights were subsequently transferred from Columbus to Fresno in a six-player offseason deal before returning to the River Dragons in the latest transaction.

Yevdokimov enjoyed one of the most productive seasons of his FPHL career in 2022-23, leading the league with 52 goals as captain of the Mississippi Sea Wolves. He finished the campaign with 101 points and earned FPHL Second-Team All-Star honors. The following season, he appeared in 29 games with the ECHL’s Tulsa Oilers, tallying seven goals and 18 assists. He also spent 21 games with Macon during the 2024-25 season, recording six goals and 11 assists.

The 6-foot-1, 187-pound forward is a native of Chelyabinsk, Russia, and has competed professionally in the KHL, VHL and Kazakhstan. In 2020-21, he captured the Kazakhstan Cup.

As part of the three-team deal, goaltender Nick Grabko moves from Columbus to Fresno. The Channahon, Illinois, native has professional experience with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads and Toledo Walleye, the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs and France’s second-tier professional league. Collegiately, Grabko spent four seasons at Bentley University before completing his fifth year at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He is still determining where he will play during the 2026-27 season.

Forward Kyle Heitzner also departs Columbus, joining the Stockton Thunder. A veteran of eight FPHL franchises, Heitzner has additionally appeared in the ECHL with the Adirondack Thunder and Tulsa Oilers. Last season, he recorded 14 goals and 12 assists in 26 FPHL games split between the Blue Ridge Bobcats, Biloxi Breakers and Pee Dee IceCats. His status for 2026-27 remains uncertain.

The acquisition brings a proven offensive threat back to Columbus as the River Dragons continue to strengthen their forward group for the 2026-27 campaign.

Welcome back, Yaro!