According to an article in Sport-Express (and confirmed on HC MVD website): "The management of HC MVD has decided to part ways with 29 year-old American forward Joe Motzko, who spent the last two years in the Atlanta system and in mid-July signed a one-year contract with the team from Balashikha. During pre-season training, the performance of the legionnaire (foreign player-TH) (whose service record includes a Stanley Cup victory in 2007 while with Anaheim) did not satisfy the coaching staff of HC MVD, and currently the parties are in the process of dissolution of the contract."