Alexei Nikolayevich Zhitnik (Ukrainian: Олексій Миколайович Житник, Russian: Алексей Николаевич Житник Russian pronunciation: [ˈʒɪt.nɪk] born October 10, 1972) is a Ukrainian ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was named the team captain in 2009. Zhitnik has played more games in the National Hockey League (NHL) than any other Soviet-born defenceman. He has represented the Soviet Uni...
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Alexei Nikolayevich Zhitnik (Ukrainian: Олексій Миколайович Житник, Russian: Алексей Николаевич Житник Russian pronunciation: [ˈʒɪt.nɪk] born October 10, 1972) is a Ukrainian ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was named the team captain in 2009. Zhitnik has played more games in the National Hockey League (NHL) than any other Soviet-born defenceman. He has represented the Soviet Union, CIS, and Russia internationally.
Zhitnik was drafted 81st overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft after playing for Sokil Kyiv in the Russian Super League for two years. After another year, he came to the NHL for the 1992–93 NHL season.
He made his NHL debut on October 6, 1992 against the Calgary Flames and scored his first goal nine nights later, also against Calgary. In his rookie season with the Kings, he finished second among rookie defenceman in points with 48. He was an important part of the Kings' playoff run to...
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