Shawn Bates leaves IFK Helsinki

IFK Helsinki and Shawn Bates concluded their buyout agreement releasing the center from his contract with the club. Bates had been injured and is returning home to recuperate. Bates joined the SM-Liiga team November and had 5 goals and 16 assists in 20 games. He has been sidelined since January 10th. Bates has had injury problems in the past as well. He is the third import player to be dropped by IFK this season following defenceman Tom Walsh and forward Kip Brennan.