Akim Aliu signs contract with Czech league's HC Litvinov

Former NHL defenseman Akim Aliu inked a deal for the remainder of the season with HC Litvinov of the Czech League, he told Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt on Tuesday.

Aliu will fly out Wednesday to join the team and plans to play Friday. The club has 14 games remaining in its season.

Born in Nigeria, Aliu opened up in November about the racial abuse he faced from former coach Bill Peters while the two were together in the AHL in 2009-10.

The now 30-year-old claims Peters "ruined and deterred" his career, and has since met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly about creating a change in hockey culture.

Aliu was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks with the 56th overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, but appeared in only seven professional contests.

Since being drafted, the 6-foot-3 journeyman has suited up for 23 different teams across seven leagues and five countries outside of the NHL. He most recently played with the East Coast Hockey League's Orlando Solar Bears in 2018-19.

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