Projected first-round NHL draft pick Oscar Hemming has hit another roadblock in his bid to play hockey in North America.

The 17-year-old Finnish forward had hoped — and still does — to play for the Kitchener Rangers after signing with the club in late August.

But he has been on the sidelines ever since while stuck in a tug of war with his former Finnish club, Kiekko-Espoo.

International players must be released by their former club and a transfer to their new team must be approved by the International Ice Hockey Federation to play in any league sanctioned by Hockey Canada, such as the Ontario Hockey League.

Kiekko-Espoo has refused to release Hemming and is locked in a legal dispute with his family.

The Hemmings terminated their son’s contract with Kiekko-Espoo and felt they had a leg

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