Alexei Kovalev
Encyclopedia
Alexei Vyacheslavovich "Alex" Kovalev is a Russia
n professional ice hockey
player who currently plays for Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Kontinental Hockey League
.. He has previously played in the National Hockey League
(NHL) for the Ottawa Senators
, Montreal Canadiens
, Pittsburgh Penguins
(on two separate occasions), and the New York Rangers
, with whom he was originally drafted and won a Stanley Cup
in 1994
, playing over 1,300 NHL games over 18 seasons.
in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft
, first round, 15th overall. He became the first Russia
n born player to be drafted in the first round in the history of the NHL. Best known for his stickhandling skills, dangling and wrist shot, he became an important part of the Rangers
1994 Stanley Cup run
, finishing with the third-most points for New York in the playoffs. Kovalev, Alexander Karpovtsev
, Sergei Nemchinov
, and Sergei Zubov
were the first Russians to have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup. The Rangers' Stanley Cup win is one that's well remembered in Europe because of the first Russian names on the Stanley Cup, as MSG Network
broadcaster Al Trautwig
said in an essay for Garden of Dreams.
During the 1994–95 NHL lockout, Kovalev returned to Russia to play for his hometown team Lada Togliatti
, the defending International Hockey League champion from 1994. Kovalev scored 8 goals and 8 assists in 12 games. Kovalev occasionally stops in Tolyatti
to give clinics at his old hockey school. He also participated in the Lada Tolyatti 30th anniversary game, and scored a hat trick
for the Lada veterans team.
Just 14 games into the 1998–99 season, on November 25, 1998, he was traded, along with Harry York
, to the Pittsburgh Penguins
for Petr Nedvěd
, Sean Pronger
and Chris Tamer
. While only putting up 46 points in 63 games with the Penguins, he managed a strong effort with 12 points in 10 postseason games. The next few seasons, he recorded two of his best seasons in the NHL with 76 and 95 points.
In a trade to mainly reduce their salary, Pittsburgh sent Kovalev back to the Rangers on February 10, 2003. He was sent, along with Dan LaCouture
, Janne Laukkanen
and Mike Wilson
for Mikael Samuelsson
, Rico Fata
, Joel Bouchard
, Richard Lintner
and cash.
On March 13, 2004 he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens
for Jozef Balej
and a second round selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft
. While only managing 3 points in 12 games in the regular season, Kovalev broke out in the 2004 playoffs
, where he registered 6 goals and 10 points in 11 games for Montreal.
He spent the 2004–05 NHL lockout playing for Ak Bars Kazan, in the Russian Super League (RSL), where he registered 23 points in 35 games. Kovalev played for Russia in the 2005 World Championships
in Austria
, and was named the tournament's best forward.
As an unrestricted free agent, he re-signed with Montreal to a four-year contract, worth $4.5 million per year, on August 3, 2005, prior to the start of the 2005–06 NHL season. He scored his 300th career goal and recorded his 700th point on December 20, 2005 against Dominik Hašek
in a 4–3 win against the Ottawa Senators
.
In 2006, Warrior
signed Kovalev to endorse their hockey sticks. Warrior designed a custom shaft known as the AK27.
In 2007, Kovalev sparked controversy when he allegedly criticized his team, coaching staff and the Montreal media in an interview done with a Russian reporter in his native language. Though the reporter who conducted the interview later rescinded Kovalev's quotes, and the tape she used never surfaced, a majority of the fans and members of the media believe the criticism to have actually happened. This story was especially controversial due to the poor performance by Kovalev in the 2006–07 season, amassing only 18 goals, 29 assists for a total of 47 points.
During the 2007–08 season, Kovalev found a resurgence playing alongside linemates Andrei Kostitsyn
and Tomáš Plekanec
, amassing a total of 35 goals, 49 assists for a total of 84 points in 82 games. As of the season's completion, he stood at the 94th spot of the top 100 all-time NHL scorers. Because of his inspired play, Kovalev was awarded the Canadiens' captaincy on two occasions during the season, replacing the injured Saku Koivu
in his absence.
The following season, in 2008–09
, Kovalev was named captain of the Eastern Conference
at the 2009 NHL All-Star game
in Montreal
, and won Most Valuable Player honors as a result of his two goals, assist, and game-winning shootout goal. Late in the season with the Canadiens, Kovalev scored his 100th goal with the club on March 31, 2009, against former teammate and Canadiens goaltender Cristobal Huet
of the Chicago Blackhawks
. At the end of the week, he was named the NHL's first star for the week ending April 5 after scoring 2 goals and 7 assists, helping lead the Canadiens to 3 wins during that time.
On July 6, 2009, Kovalev signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Ottawa Senators
as an unrestricted free agent. On December 25, 2009, Kovalev was excluded from the roster for the Russian men's hockey team for the 2010 Winter Olympics
, to the surprise of fellow countryman Evgeni Malkin
. On January 3, 2010, he scored a career-high 4 goals in a 7-4 win against the Philadelphia Flyers
.
On November 22, 2010, Kovalev netted his sixth goal of the season, scoring his 1,000th point in his career, notching the goal at exactly 10:00 of the first period against the Los Angeles Kings
.
On February 24, 2011, his 38th birthday, Kovalev waived his no-trade clause to be traded back to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional 7th Round Draft Pick. The pick would have been upgraded to the sixth round if the Penguins had reached the second round of the playoffs, which they did not. At the time of the trade, the Penguins were without twelve of their regulars, including Sidney Crosby
and Evgeni Malkin
.
Kovalev's return to Pittsburgh was brief, as general manager Ray Shero
announced on May 28, 2011, that he had no intention of re-signing the forward.
when Michael Vaughn
(played by Michael Vartan
) attempted to deflect an enemy's suspicions by saying that he is often told he looks like Alexei Kovalev. He is married to Eugenia Kovalev.
' NHL 95
scoring a goal on Kirk McLean
of the Vancouver Canucks
in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals
. In March 2008, Kovalev released a two-disc DVD titled My Hockey Tips and Training Methods. He is donating 100 percent of the DVD sale profits to charities that promote cardiac care for children. At age 8, Kovalev himself was diagnosed with a heart disorder that prevented him from playing hockey for two years while he underwent treatment.
in:
Played for the Unified Team
(CIS) in:
Played for Russia in:
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player who currently plays for Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Kontinental Hockey League
Kontinental Hockey League
The Kontinental Hockey League is an international professional ice hockey league in Eurasia founded in 2008. As of 2009, it is ranked as the strongest hockey league in Europe....
.. He has previously played in the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL) for the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
, Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
(on two separate occasions), and the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, with whom he was originally drafted and won a Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
in 1994
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
, playing over 1,300 NHL games over 18 seasons.
Playing career
Alexei Kovalev was drafted by the New York RangersNew York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft
1991 NHL Entry Draft
The 1991 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 22 at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, New York. A total of 264 players were drafted. The draft was famous for the controversy surrounding star first overall draft pick, touted by some observers to be The Next One, Eric Lindros, who was drafted by the...
, first round, 15th overall. He became the first Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n born player to be drafted in the first round in the history of the NHL. Best known for his stickhandling skills, dangling and wrist shot, he became an important part of the Rangers
1993–94 New York Rangers season
The 1993–94 New York Rangers season was the 68th season for the franchise. The highlight of the season was winning the Stanley Cup and hosting the NHL All-Star Game...
1994 Stanley Cup run
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
, finishing with the third-most points for New York in the playoffs. Kovalev, Alexander Karpovtsev
Alexander Karpovtsev
Alexander Karpovtsev was a Russian ice hockey player and later an assistant coach for Ak Bars Kazan and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League...
, Sergei Nemchinov
Sergei Nemchinov
Sergei Lvovich Nemchinov is a retired Russian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils for twelve seasons, bookended by ten seasons in the Soviet Championship League with PHC Krylya Sovetov...
, and Sergei Zubov
Sergei Zubov
Sergei Alexandrovich Zubov is a former Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League as well as SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League...
were the first Russians to have their names engraved on the Stanley Cup. The Rangers' Stanley Cup win is one that's well remembered in Europe because of the first Russian names on the Stanley Cup, as MSG Network
MSG Network
The MSG Network, now shortened to simply MSG, is a regional cable television and radio network serving the Mid-Atlantic United States. It is focused on New York City sports teams...
broadcaster Al Trautwig
Al Trautwig
Al Trautwig is a commentator with the MSG Network, NBC, Versus, and USA Network. He does the pre-game and post-game shows for the New York Knicks and New York Rangers, as well as fill-in play-by-play for both teams.-Early life:...
said in an essay for Garden of Dreams.
During the 1994–95 NHL lockout, Kovalev returned to Russia to play for his hometown team Lada Togliatti
HC Lada Togliatti
HC Lada is a Russian professional ice hockey team based in Togliatti, Russia. They were members of the Kharlamov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League.Due to a lack of a satisfactory arena the KHL expelled the team...
, the defending International Hockey League champion from 1994. Kovalev scored 8 goals and 8 assists in 12 games. Kovalev occasionally stops in Tolyatti
Tolyatti
Tolyatti , also known as Togliatti, is a city in Samara Oblast, Russia. It serves as the administrative center of Stavropolsky District, although it is administratively separate from it...
to give clinics at his old hockey school. He also participated in the Lada Tolyatti 30th anniversary game, and scored a hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
for the Lada veterans team.
Just 14 games into the 1998–99 season, on November 25, 1998, he was traded, along with Harry York
Harry York
Harold York is a retired professional ice hockey centre who spent four seasons in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
for Petr Nedvěd
Petr Nedved
Petr Nedvěd is a Czech Canadian professional ice hockey player who spent 15 seasons in the National Hockey League. He currently plays centre for HC Bílí Tygři Liberec of the Czech Extraliga.- Biography :...
, Sean Pronger
Sean Pronger
Sean James Pronger is a former professional ice-hockey player who grew up in Dryden, Ontario, and played in the National Hockey League from 1995 to 2004...
and Chris Tamer
Chris Tamer
Chris Thomas Tamer is a retired American ice hockey defenseman who played in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and Atlanta Thrashers.-Hockey career:...
. While only putting up 46 points in 63 games with the Penguins, he managed a strong effort with 12 points in 10 postseason games. The next few seasons, he recorded two of his best seasons in the NHL with 76 and 95 points.
In a trade to mainly reduce their salary, Pittsburgh sent Kovalev back to the Rangers on February 10, 2003. He was sent, along with Dan LaCouture
Dan LaCouture
Daniel LaCouture is an American professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for Lørenskog of the Norwegian Get-Liga. LaCouture is a graduate of Natick High School in Natick, Massachusetts.- Career :...
, Janne Laukkanen
Janne Laukkanen
Janne Laukkanen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise, the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played a total 407 regular season games scoring 22 goals...
and Mike Wilson
Mike Wilson (hockey player)
Mike Wilson is a Canadian ice hockey defenceman.-Playing career:Wilson was drafted 20th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft...
for Mikael Samuelsson
Mikael Samuelsson
Mikael Samuelsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
, Rico Fata
Rico Fata
Rico Fata is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently with Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss NLA. He has also played for the Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers and Washington Capitals of the NHL.-Playing career:Fata's career started as a 15 year old,...
, Joel Bouchard
Joel Bouchard
Joël Bouchard nicknamed "Mortimer" is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League. He is currently the president and general manager of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.-Playing career:Bouchard last played for the...
, Richard Lintner
Richard Lintner
Richard Lintner is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for SaiPa of the Finnish SM-liiga. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Nashville Predators, New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lintner represented Slovakia at the World Championships every...
and cash.
On March 13, 2004 he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
for Jozef Balej
Jozef Balej
Jozef Balej is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger who has spent parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League, and currently plays for HC Oceláři Třinec.-Playing career:...
and a second round selection in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft
2004 NHL Entry Draft
The 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is especially notable because it was the last NHL event to take place before the beginning of the lockout which canceled all the games scheduled for the 2004–05 NHL season.- Selections by round :Listed...
. While only managing 3 points in 12 games in the regular season, Kovalev broke out in the 2004 playoffs
2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 2004 Stanley Cup playoffs for the National Hockey League began on April 7, 2004, following the 2003–04 regular season. The playoffs ended with the Tampa Bay Lightning securing the Stanley Cup with a seven-game series win over the Calgary Flames on June 7. It was Tampa Bay's first Stanley Cup...
, where he registered 6 goals and 10 points in 11 games for Montreal.
He spent the 2004–05 NHL lockout playing for Ak Bars Kazan, in the Russian Super League (RSL), where he registered 23 points in 35 games. Kovalev played for Russia in the 2005 World Championships
2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships
The 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico...
in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, and was named the tournament's best forward.
As an unrestricted free agent, he re-signed with Montreal to a four-year contract, worth $4.5 million per year, on August 3, 2005, prior to the start of the 2005–06 NHL season. He scored his 300th career goal and recorded his 700th point on December 20, 2005 against Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek
Dominik Hašek is a Czech ice hockey goaltender who is currently with HC Spartak Moscow of the KHL.In his 16-season National Hockey League career, he played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and the Ottawa Senators. During his years in Buffalo, he became one of the...
in a 4–3 win against the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
In 2006, Warrior
Warrior Sports
Warrior Sports is a manufacturer of lacrosse and ice hockey equipment and apparel based in Warren, Michigan, United States.-History:Warrior Sports was founded in 1992 by David Morrow, a former lacrosse player. In 2004 Warrior Sports was acquired by privately-held New Balance Athletic Shoe, Inc...
signed Kovalev to endorse their hockey sticks. Warrior designed a custom shaft known as the AK27.
In 2007, Kovalev sparked controversy when he allegedly criticized his team, coaching staff and the Montreal media in an interview done with a Russian reporter in his native language. Though the reporter who conducted the interview later rescinded Kovalev's quotes, and the tape she used never surfaced, a majority of the fans and members of the media believe the criticism to have actually happened. This story was especially controversial due to the poor performance by Kovalev in the 2006–07 season, amassing only 18 goals, 29 assists for a total of 47 points.
During the 2007–08 season, Kovalev found a resurgence playing alongside linemates Andrei Kostitsyn
Andrei Kostitsyn
Andrej Aliehavič Kaścicyn , better known as Andrei Kostitsyn, is a Belarusian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . The media have nicknamed him AK-46, a play on his initials and player number in reference to the Soviet AK-47...
and Tomáš Plekanec
Tomas Plekanec
Tomas Plekanec is a Czech professional ice hockey centre currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . After beginning his career for HC Kladno of the Czech Extraliga, he was selected 71st overall by the Canadiens in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft...
, amassing a total of 35 goals, 49 assists for a total of 84 points in 82 games. As of the season's completion, he stood at the 94th spot of the top 100 all-time NHL scorers. Because of his inspired play, Kovalev was awarded the Canadiens' captaincy on two occasions during the season, replacing the injured Saku Koivu
Saku Koivu
Saku Antero Koivu is a Finnish professional ice hockey player and an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He began his NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1995–96 after three seasons with TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga...
in his absence.
The following season, in 2008–09
2008–09 NHL season
The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the...
, Kovalev was named captain of the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (NHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
at the 2009 NHL All-Star game
57th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 57th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, home of the Montreal Canadiens, in conjunction with the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. The game was held between two teams, each representing a conference of the National Hockey League...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, and won Most Valuable Player honors as a result of his two goals, assist, and game-winning shootout goal. Late in the season with the Canadiens, Kovalev scored his 100th goal with the club on March 31, 2009, against former teammate and Canadiens goaltender Cristobal Huet
Cristobal Huet
Cristobal Huet is a French professional ice hockey goaltender playing for Fribourg-Gottéron of the Swiss National League A, on loan from the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League. He developed his goaltending skills in Grenoble with Les Brûleurs de Loups. He has also played with the...
of the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
. At the end of the week, he was named the NHL's first star for the week ending April 5 after scoring 2 goals and 7 assists, helping lead the Canadiens to 3 wins during that time.
On July 6, 2009, Kovalev signed a two-year, $10 million contract with the Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
as an unrestricted free agent. On December 25, 2009, Kovalev was excluded from the roster for the Russian men's hockey team for the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
, to the surprise of fellow countryman Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
. On January 3, 2010, he scored a career-high 4 goals in a 7-4 win against the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
On November 22, 2010, Kovalev netted his sixth goal of the season, scoring his 1,000th point in his career, notching the goal at exactly 10:00 of the first period against the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
On February 24, 2011, his 38th birthday, Kovalev waived his no-trade clause to be traded back to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for a conditional 7th Round Draft Pick. The pick would have been upgraded to the sixth round if the Penguins had reached the second round of the playoffs, which they did not. At the time of the trade, the Penguins were without twelve of their regulars, including Sidney Crosby
Sidney Crosby
Sidney Patrick Crosby ONS is a Canadian professional ice hockey player and captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League . Crosby was drafted first overall by the Penguins out of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League...
and Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni Malkin
Evgeni "Geno" Vladimirovich Malkin is a Russian professional ice hockey center and alternate captain for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League ....
.
Kovalev's return to Pittsburgh was brief, as general manager Ray Shero
Ray Shero
Rejean "Ray" Shero is the current general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He was hired on May 25, 2006, replacing Craig Patrick. He is the son of former Philadelphia Flyers and New York Rangers coach Fred Shero....
announced on May 28, 2011, that he had no intention of re-signing the forward.
Awards
- Won the Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
with the New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
in 19941994 Stanley Cup PlayoffsThe 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began after the conclusion of the 1993–94 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...
. - Named NHL Offensive Player of the Week for November 6–12, 2000; November 5–11, 2001.
- Played in the NHL All-Star Game in 2001, 2003 and 2009.
- Named NHL Player of the Month in February 2001.
- Named the World Championship Best Forward in 2005.
- Won the Molson CupMolson CupThe Molson Cup is an award presented to a distinguished player on Canadian ice hockey teams. After each game, the "three game stars" are selected, usually by a member of the media. At the end of the season, the player with the most three-star honours is presented with the Molson Cup...
(monthly) in November 2005, November 2007, December 2007, January and February 2008. - Won the Molson Cup (season) in 2008.
- Won The Hockey NewsThe Hockey NewsThe Hockey News, commonly abbreviated to THN, is a North American ice hockey magazine published by Transcontinental. The Hockey News was founded in 1947 by Ken McKenzie and Bill Côté, and has since been the most recognized hockey publication in North America...
Saku KoivuSaku KoivuSaku Antero Koivu is a Finnish professional ice hockey player and an alternate captain of the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League . He began his NHL career with the Montreal Canadiens in 1995–96 after three seasons with TPS of the Finnish SM-liiga...
Award (comeback player of the year) in 2008. - Named to the NHL Second All-Star TeamNHL All-Star TeamThe NHL All-Star Teams were first named at the end of the 1930–31 NHL season, to honor the best performers over the season at each position.Representatives of the Professional Hockey Writers' Association vote for the All-Star Team at the end of the regular season.The career leaders in citations are...
in 2008. - Won the NHL All-Star Game MVP Award in 2009.
- Named the NHL 1st Star of the Week for March 30–April 5, 2009.
Accomplishments
- First Russian player to be drafted in the first round.
- First Russian player (along with Alexander KarpovtsevAlexander KarpovtsevAlexander Karpovtsev was a Russian ice hockey player and later an assistant coach for Ak Bars Kazan and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League...
, Sergei NemchinovSergei NemchinovSergei Lvovich Nemchinov is a retired Russian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the New York Rangers, Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils for twelve seasons, bookended by ten seasons in the Soviet Championship League with PHC Krylya Sovetov...
, and Sergei ZubovSergei ZubovSergei Alexandrovich Zubov is a former Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League as well as SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League...
) to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup. - First Russian player to be a captain of an All-Star Team
- Captain of the 2009 NHL Eastern All-Star team
- Most Valuable Player of the 2009 NHL All-Star game
- November 23, 2010, recorded 1,000th (and 1,001st) career point(s) against the LA Kings notching a goal and an assist.
- Most NHL games played by a player born and trained in the former USSR (1,302).
Off the ice
Kovalev is a licensed aircraft pilot. Alexei was referenced in the first episode of season four of the television series AliasAlias (TV series)
Alias is an American action television series created by J. J. Abrams which was broadcast on ABC for five seasons, from September 30, 2001 to May 22, 2006...
when Michael Vaughn
Michael Vaughn
Michael C. Vaughn is a fictional character on the television series Alias. Played by Michael Vartan, Vaughn is one of Sydney Bristow's co-workers and her ongoing love interest. He, like Sydney, is skilled in a variety of areas...
(played by Michael Vartan
Michael Vartan
Michael S. Vartan is a French-American film and television actor. He is probably best known for the role of Michael Vaughn on the American television action drama Alias...
) attempted to deflect an enemy's suspicions by saying that he is often told he looks like Alexei Kovalev. He is married to Eugenia Kovalev.
Endorsements
Kovalev is a prominent endorsee of Warrior Hockey, making use of their range of products as a trademark which includes his own signature stick, the AK27. Kovalev was also pictured on the cover of EA SportsEA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
' NHL 95
NHL 95
NHL 95 is an ice hockey video game developed by Electronic Arts Canada. It was released on October 27, 1994.- Features :...
scoring a goal on Kirk McLean
Kirk McLean
Kirk Alan McLean is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
of the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals
1994 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1994 Stanley Cup Final was a best-of-seven playoff series contested between the Eastern Conference champion New York Rangers and Western Conference champion Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League...
. In March 2008, Kovalev released a two-disc DVD titled My Hockey Tips and Training Methods. He is donating 100 percent of the DVD sale profits to charities that promote cardiac care for children. At age 8, Kovalev himself was diagnosed with a heart disorder that prevented him from playing hockey for two years while he underwent treatment.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1989–90 | HC Dynamo Moscow HC Dynamo Moscow HC Dynamo Moscow was a Russian professional ice hockey club based in Moscow. They were members of the Bobrov Division in the Kontinental Hockey League... |
USSR | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | HC Dynamo Moscow | USSR | 18 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1991–92 | HC Dynamo Moscow | CIS | 33 | 16 | 9 | 25 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
65 | 20 | 18 | 38 | 79 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1992–93 | Binghamton Rangers Binghamton Rangers The Binghamton Rangers were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Binghamton, New York, USA at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena.-History:The market was previously served by:-Playoffs:-Single Season:... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
13 | 13 | 11 | 24 | 35 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 14 | ||
| 1993–94 | New York Rangers | NHL | 76 | 23 | 33 | 56 | 154 | 23 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 18 | ||
| 1994–95 | Lada Togliatti HC Lada Togliatti HC Lada is a Russian professional ice hockey team based in Togliatti, Russia. They were members of the Kharlamov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League.Due to a lack of a satisfactory arena the KHL expelled the team... |
IHL International Hockey League (1992–1996) The International Hockey League lasted from 1992 to 1996. It replaced the Soviet Union's Championship league. The last season was in 1995-1996, as the league was replaced replaced by the Russian Superleague the following season.... |
12 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 49 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1994–95 | New York Rangers | NHL | 48 | 13 | 15 | 28 | 30 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 10 | ||
| 1995–96 | New York Rangers | NHL | 81 | 24 | 34 | 58 | 98 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 14 | ||
| 1996–97 | New York Rangers | NHL | 45 | 13 | 22 | 35 | 42 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | New York Rangers | NHL | 73 | 23 | 30 | 53 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | New York Rangers | NHL | 14 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Pittsburgh Penguins Pittsburgh Penguins The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original... |
NHL | 63 | 20 | 26 | 46 | 37 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 14 | ||
| 1999–00 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 82 | 26 | 40 | 66 | 94 | 11 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 10 | ||
| 2000–01 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 79 | 44 | 51 | 95 | 96 | 18 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 16 | ||
| 2001–02 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 67 | 32 | 44 | 76 | 80 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 54 | 27 | 37 | 64 | 50 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | New York Rangers | NHL | 24 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | New York Rangers | NHL | 66 | 13 | 29 | 42 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
NHL | 12 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 11 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 8 | ||
| 2004–05 | Ak Bars Kazan | RSL Russian Superleague The Russian Superleague , commonly abbreviated as RSL, was the highest division of the main professional ice hockey league in Russia. It was considered the second best league in the world, after the National Hockey League of North America... |
35 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 80 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||
| 2005–06 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 69 | 23 | 42 | 65 | 76 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 4 | ||
| 2006–07 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 73 | 18 | 29 | 47 | 78 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 82 | 35 | 49 | 84 | 70 | 12 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 8 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 78 | 26 | 39 | 65 | 74 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 77 | 18 | 31 | 49 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Ottawa Senators | NHL | 54 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 28 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Pittsburgh Penguins | NHL | 20 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 10 | ||
| RSL totals | 99 | 35 | 31 | 66 | 153 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | ||||
| NHL totals | 1302 | 428 | 596 | 1024 | 1298 | 123 | 45 | 55 | 100 | 114 | ||||
International play
Played for the Soviet UnionSoviet national ice hockey team
The Soviet national ice hockey team , was the national hockey team of the Soviet Union. The Soviets were the most dominant team of all time in international play. The team won nearly every world championship and Olympic tournament between 1954 and 1991 held by the International Ice Hockey Federation...
in:
- 1990 European Junior Championship (silver medal)
- 1991 European Junior Championship (silver medal)
- 1992 World Junior Championship (gold medal)*
Played for the Unified Team
Unified Team
The Unified Team was the name used for the sports team of the former Soviet Union at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville and the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. The IOC country code was EUN, after the French name, Équipe Unifiée...
(CIS) in:
- 1992 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 1992 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics was held at the Méribel Ice Palace in Méribel, a ski resort about 45 km from host city Albertville. The competition, held from 8 to 23 February, was won by the Unified Team.-Final rankings:# # # # # # #...
(gold medal)*
Played for Russia in:
- 1992 World ChampionshipIce Hockey World ChampionshipsThe Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European...
- 1996 World Cup of Hockey1996 World Cup of HockeyThe first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey ....
- 1998 World Championship
- 2002 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2002 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:...
(bronze medal) - 2004 World Cup of Hockey2004 World Cup of HockeyThe 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues...
- 2005 World Championship2005 Men's World Ice Hockey ChampionshipsThe 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico...
- 2006 Winter OlympicsIce hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics-Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and...
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | USSR | EJC | 6 | 4 | 3 | 7 | 6 | |
| 1991 | USSR | EJC | 5 | 8 | 3 | 11 | 8 | |
| 1992 | CIS | WJC | 7 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 2 | |
| 1992 | CIS | Oly Ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 1992 Winter Olympics was held at the Méribel Ice Palace in Méribel, a ski resort about 45 km from host city Albertville. The competition, held from 8 to 23 February, was won by the Unified Team.-Final rankings:# # # # # # #... |
8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 14 | |
| 1992 | Russia | WC Ice Hockey World Championships The Ice Hockey World Championships are an annual ice hockey tournament organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation . First officially held at the 1920 Summer Olympics, it is the sport's highest profile annual international tournament. The IIHF was created in 1908 while the European... |
6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| 1996 | Russia | WCH 1996 World Cup of Hockey The first World Cup of Hockey , or 1996 World Cup of Hockey, replaced the Canada Cup as one of the premier championships for professional ice hockey .... |
5 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | |
| 1998 | Russia | WC | 6 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 14 | |
| 2002 | Russia | Oly Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics Ice hockey at the 2002 Winter Olympics were held at the E Center in West Valley City and Peaks Ice Arena in Provo, Utah. Both the men's and women's tournaments were won by Canada, defeating the host USA in both games.-Men:... |
6 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | |
| 2004 | Russia | WCH 2004 World Cup of Hockey The 2004 World Cup of Hockey was an international ice hockey tournament. It was the second installment of the National Hockey League -sanctioned competition eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey. It was held from August 30 to September 14, 2004, and took place in various venues... |
4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| 2005 | Russia | WC 2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico... |
9 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 16 | |
| 2006 | Russia | Oly Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics -Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and... |
8 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | |
| Senior int'l totals | 52 | 20 | 14 | 34 | 64 | |||
Transactions
- June 23, 1991- New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
first-round draft choice (15th overall) in the NHL Entry Draft.
- November 25, 1998- Traded by the New York Rangers, along with Harry YorkHarry YorkHarold York is a retired professional ice hockey centre who spent four seasons in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, to the Pittsburgh PenguinsPittsburgh PenguinsThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
in exchange for Petr NedvědPetr NedvedPetr Nedvěd is a Czech Canadian professional ice hockey player who spent 15 seasons in the National Hockey League. He currently plays centre for HC Bílí Tygři Liberec of the Czech Extraliga.- Biography :...
, Sean ProngerSean ProngerSean James Pronger is a former professional ice-hockey player who grew up in Dryden, Ontario, and played in the National Hockey League from 1995 to 2004...
, and Chris TamerChris TamerChris Thomas Tamer is a retired American ice hockey defenseman who played in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers, and Atlanta Thrashers.-Hockey career:...
.
- February 10, 2003- Traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins, along with Mike Wilson, Janne LaukkanenJanne LaukkanenJanne Laukkanen is a Finnish former professional ice hockey player. He played in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques/Colorado Avalanche franchise, the Ottawa Senators, Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. He played a total 407 regular season games scoring 22 goals...
and Dan LaCoutureDan LaCoutureDaniel LaCouture is an American professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for Lørenskog of the Norwegian Get-Liga. LaCouture is a graduate of Natick High School in Natick, Massachusetts.- Career :...
, to the New York Rangers in exchange for Joel BouchardJoel BouchardJoël Bouchard nicknamed "Mortimer" is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League. He is currently the president and general manager of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.-Playing career:Bouchard last played for the...
, Richard LintnerRichard LintnerRichard Lintner is a Slovak professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for SaiPa of the Finnish SM-liiga. He previously played in the National Hockey League for the Nashville Predators, New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lintner represented Slovakia at the World Championships every...
, Rico FataRico FataRico Fata is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently with Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss NLA. He has also played for the Calgary Flames, New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers and Washington Capitals of the NHL.-Playing career:Fata's career started as a 15 year old,...
, Mikael SamuelssonMikael SamuelssonMikael Samuelsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
and a fourth-round draft pick.
- March 2, 2004- Traded by the New York Rangers to the Montreal CanadiensMontreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
in exchange for Jozef BalejJozef BalejJozef Balej is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger who has spent parts of three seasons in the National Hockey League, and currently plays for HC Oceláři Třinec.-Playing career:...
and Montreal's 2004 third-round draft choice. - July 6, 2009- Signed a two-year $9.95 million dollar deal with the Ottawa Senators.
- February 24, 2011- Traded by the Ottawa Senators to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Pittsburgh's conditional 7th round draft pick in the 2011 NHL Draft.