Sergei Gonchar

About

Finnesse Russian defender who emerged as a star for the Washington Capitals in the early 2000s, then went on to win a Stanley Cup Championship with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009. He also won a silver medal with Team Russia at the 1998 Olympics and a bronze medal with the team at the 2002 games.

Before Fame

He was selected 14th overall in the 1992 NHL Draft by the Capitals, but didn't debut with the team until the 1994-95 season.

Trivia

During his time in Washington, he was one of the league's premier offensive defenders, netting a career-high 26 goals in 2001-02 and dishing out a personal best 49 assists in 2002-03.

Family Life

He was born in Chelyabinsk, Russia.

Associated With

He signed with the Penguins in 2005 and became teammates with star center Sidney Crosby, who captained the Penguins' Stanley Cup team in 2009.