MOSCOW, Mar 11 Former defender of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) club» Salavat Yulaev» Dane Philip Larsen addressed the Ufa fans and stated that he did not plan to terminate the contract with the team ahead of schedule. In early March, the team was left by a Canadian with Belarusian citizenship, Jeff Platt, Larsen, Finns Markus Granlund, Temu Hartikainen, Sakari Manninen and Juha Metsola .
"I've spent the last couple of days trying to find the right words. I had to make a very difficult choice. Hope you guys understand me. I am now at home with my family, but I still somehow feel uneasy: the club and my teammates are chasing the Gagarin Cup without me. This is what we have always dreamed of. This is not how I wanted to leave Ufa and I hope that this is not goodbye forever", the hockey player wrote on his Instagram page.
Larsen thanked the management of the Ufa club, staff and former teammates for their understanding in a difficult situation.
"Fans, you made me feel at home from day one. They gave me great support. I cannot thank you enough, you are the world to me. What the future will bring to me and my family, I do not know. One thing is for sure: we will always have a green heart. Thank you", added Larsen.