Ukrainian Hockey Players In The Nhl
While Ukraine is not typically thought of as a hockey powerhouse, the country has produced a number of talented players who have made their mark in the National Hockey League (NHL). In this article, we'll take a closer look at some of the top Ukrainian players who have made it to the NHL, and explore their backgrounds and achievements.
Oleg Tverdovsky
Oleg Tverdovsky is one of the most accomplished Ukrainian-born players to have ever laced up skates in the NHL. Born in Donetsk, Ukraine in 1976, Tverdovsky moved to North America at a young age and was eventually drafted second overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He went on to play for six different teams over the course of his career, including the Winnipeg Jets, Phoenix Coyotes, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, New Jersey Devils, and finally the Atlanta Thrashers. Tverdovsky won a Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2003 and finished his NHL career with 583 games played, 49 goals, and 225 assists.
Viktor Tikhonov
Viktor Tikhonov was born in Riga, Latvia in 1988, but is of Ukrainian descent through his father, who played for the Soviet Union's national team. Tikhonov was selected 28th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and spent parts of five seasons with the team. He also played for the Chicago Blackhawks, the Carolina Hurricanes, and the Arizona Coyotes during his NHL career. Tikhonov was known for his strong two-way play and finished his NHL career with 61 points in 245 games.
Andrei Loktionov
Andrei Loktionov was born in Voskresensk, Russia in 1990, but his family is of Ukrainian heritage. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth round of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft and played parts of five seasons in the league. Loktionov also played for the New Jersey Devils and the Carolina Hurricanes before returning to Russia to play in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He won a Stanley Cup with the Kings in 2012 and finished his NHL career with 68 points in 168 games.
Sergei Gonchar
Sergei Gonchar is one of the most accomplished Ukrainian-born players in NHL history. Born in Chelyabinsk, Russia in 1974, Gonchar spent the early years of his career playing in Russia's top professional league before making the jump to the NHL in 1994. He played for seven different teams during his NHL career, including the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars, Montreal Canadiens, and finally the Detroit Red Wings. Gonchar was known for his offensive prowess and won a Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2009. He finished his NHL career with 811 points in 1,301 games and is widely regarded as one of the best Russian-born defensemen in NHL history.
Meta description:
Discover the top Ukrainian hockey players who've made their mark in the National Hockey League (NHL), including Andrei Loktionov, Viktor Tikhonov, and Oleg Tverdovsky.
Meta keywords:
Ukrainian hockey players, NHL, Oleg Tverdovsky, Viktor Tikhonov, Andrei Loktionov, Sergei Gonchar.
