Justin Bailey, a 31‑year‑old forward who spent the 2023‑24 season with the San Jose Sharks, has agreed to a one‑year contract with Kazakhstan’s KHL powerhouse Barys Astana, marking his first venture outside North America.
Selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round of the 2013 NHL Draft, Bailey progressed through the Sabres’ developmental system before carving out a journeyman career that included stints with the Rochester Americans and, more recently, the San Jose Barracuda.
After signing an AHL deal with the Barracuda, he earned an NHL contract and appeared in 59 games for the Sharks, contributing five goals and 14 points while being recognized with a nomination for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, an award that honors perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
A Milestone Move to the KHL
The agreement with Barys Astana represents a significant milestone, as the veteran will be playing abroad for the first time in his professional career, bringing his experience and work ethic to a league known for its competitive depth.
Bailey’s move follows a period of training with the San Diego Gulls in the AHL, where he used the time to maintain sharpness before stepping onto the larger European ice surface.
While he fell short of the Masterton Trophy, Bailey’s resilience caught the attention of KHL scouts, leading to his latest agreement with a club based in the capital city of Nur‑Sultan.