Alexei Emelin

Alexei Emelin
230px Emelin with the Montreal Canadiens in January 2015
Born	(1986-04-25) 25 April 1986 Tolyatti, Soviet Union
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	220 lb (100 kg; 15 st 10 lb)
Position	Defence
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Montreal Canadiens Lada Togliatti Ak Bars Kazan
National team	Russia
NHL Draft	84th overall, 2004 Montreal Canadiens
Playing career	2003–present

Alexei Valerievich Emelin (Russian: Алексей Валерьевич Емелин; born 25 April 1986) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Emelin was drafted by the Canadiens in the third round, 84th overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Playing career

File:Aleksey Emelin - Switzerland vs. Russia, 8th April 2011 (1).jpg

Emelin playing for Russia in 2011.

Emelin spent a large portion of his career with Lada Togliatti in the Russian Superleague (RSL) before signing with Ak Bars Kazan. He was also a member of Russia's under-18 and under-20 national squads, and has also become a regular member of the senior national team, skating for both in EuroTour and the World Championships.

In a Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) game in 2009, Emelin sustained a face injury during a fight with Alexander Svitov; an orbital bone shattered and had to be rebuilt with metal plate. He has tried to avoid getting into fights ever since the incident.

On 17 May 2011, the Emelin signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens for the 2011–12 season. He played his first regular season NHL game on 9 October 2011, in a 5–1 victory against the Winnipeg Jets. In addition, he scored his first regular season NHL point, an assist, on 6 December 2011, in a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. On 25 January 2012, he scored his first NHL goal against the Detroit Red Wings.

File:Alexei Emelin - Montreal Canadiens.jpg

Emelin with the Montreal Canadiens in 2012.

On 30 June 2012, Emelin signed a two-year extension up until the end of the 2013–14 season.

During the lockout shortened 2012–13 season, Emelin established himself as a key member of the Canadiens' defensive core, often playing with fellow countryman Andrei Markov. He scored three goals and 12 points in 38 games for the Canadiens and finished with a plus-minus rating of +2. His season, however, was derailed by an injury during a game against the Boston Bruins on 6 April 2013, when Emelin collided with Bruins forward Milan Lucic, falling awkwardly and tearing a ligament in his left knee. As a result, Emelin missed the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. On 31 October 2013, he signed a four-year contract extension with Montreal, lasting through the 2017–18 season.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2003–04	CSK VVS Samara	RUS-2		53	2	4	6	198		—	—	—	—	—
2004–05	Lada Togliatti	RSL		12	0	1	1	24		2	0	0	0	2
2005–06	Lada Togliatti	RSL		44	6	6	12	131		6	0	1	1	47
2006–07	Lada Togliatti	RSL		43	2	5	7	74		3	0	0	0	4
2007–08	Ak Bars Kazan	RSL		56	0	4	4	123		10	0	1	1	10
2008–09	Ak Bars Kazan	KHL		51	0	3	3	58		7	1	0	1	10
2009–10	Ak Bars Kazan	KHL		46	1	6	7	50		22	5	8	13	24
2010–11	Ak Bars Kazan	KHL		52	11	15	26	117		9	0	0	0	4
2011–12	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		67	3	4	7	30		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Ak Bars Kazan	KHL		24	2	7	9	40		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		38	3	9	12	33		—	—	—	—	—
2013–14	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		59	3	14	17	59		15	0	2	2	4
2014–15	Montreal Canadiens	NHL		68	3	11	14	59		12	0	2	2	10
NHL totals				232	12	38	50	181		27	0	4	4	14

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2004	Russia	WJC18			6	0	0	0	10
2005	Russia	WJC			6	1	0	1	8
2006	Russia	WJC			6	2	5	7	39
2007	Russia	WC			9	1	2	3	6
2010	Russia	WC			9	1	1	2	33
2011	Russia	WC	4th		9	0	0	0	29
2012	Russia	WC			9	2	2	4	4
2014	Russia	OG	5th		5	0	0	0	8
Junior totals					18	3	5	8	57
Senior totals					41	4	5	9	80

External links

• Alexei Emelin's career statistics at EliteProspects.com
• Alexei Emelin profile at Eurohockey.com
• Alexei Emelin's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Alexei Emelin's player profile at NHL.com
• Alexei Emelin Profile at Russian Prospects