UPDATE (10:45 a.m.) -- Joe Pavelski confirmed the news to CSNCalifornia.com. He leaves for Belarus on Monday.
Sharks forward Joe Pavelski is expected to join Dinamo Minsk in Belarus in the Russian-based KHL early next week, a source has informed CSNCalifornia.com.
Pavelski, a Wisconsin native, will become just the third North American-born NHL player to join that league, as Winnipegs Evander Kane is also on the Dinamo roster. Andrew Ladd, also on the Jets, signed with Avangard Omsk earlier on Thursday.
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Nashvilles Pekka Rinne, a Finland native, is Dinamos goaltender, as the NHL lockout is in its third week.
Pavelski is the eighth Sharks player to join a team abroad, joining Joe Thornton and Logan Couture (Switzerland); Jason Demers and Tommy Wingels (Finalnd); Michal Handzus (Slovakia); Douglas Murray (Sweden) and TJ Galiardi (Germany).
Other notable NHLers who have signed on with KHL clubs include Washingtons Alex Ovechkin, Pittsburghs Evgeni Malkin and Zdeno Chara from Boston.
Pavelski, 28, has two years remaining on his contract with the Sharks at 4 million per year.