Alexander Mogilny

Alexander Gennadevich Mogilny (Russian: Александр Геннадиевич Могильный; born 18 February 1969) is a Russian former professional ice hockey player and the current president of Amur Khabarovsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Over a 16-season career in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1989 to 2005, he played for the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Mogilny was selected 89th overall by Buffalo in the 1988 NHL entry draft. In 1989, he became the first NHL draftee to defect from the Soviet Union to pursue a career in North America, marking a pivotal moment in the league's history. During his tenure with the Sabres, he became the first Russian player to serve as an NHL captain and lead the league in goals – achieving the latter in the 1992–93 season with 76. Known for his elite skating, skill, and sniper's touch, he is one of only seven players ever to score more than 70 in a single season. Mogilny later won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2000, joining the Triple Gold Club. A two-time member of the NHL All-Star Team and six-time All-Star, he has surpassed 1,000 career points and earned the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2003 for sportsmanship and excellence. He also shares the NHL record for the fastest goal to start a game. Internationally, Mogilny represented both the Soviet Union and Russia, winning gold at the 1988 Winter Olympics, 1989 World Championships, and 1989 World Junior Championships. He was named best forward at the 1988 World Juniors after leading the tournament in goals, assists, and points, and later competed for Russia at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. Mogilny was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2025.