This Day in Hockey History – June 23, 2001 – Revolving Around Russians

One U.S.-based NHL team turned down all offers for the chance to draft the first No. 1 Russian. Another gave up their No. 2 pick in trade for a Russian they considered a star player. As a result, a Canadian team drafted the top Canadian player. All this occurred at the 2001 Entry Draft held at National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, Florida on June 23.

The Atlanta Thrashers won the draft lottery, so they would have first pick at the 2001 Entry Draft. Leading up to the draft, they turned down multiple trade offers. Thrashers GM Don Waddell told the press, “Well, we certainly in the last two weeks had about 11 or 12 teams that called us, and truthfully when it came down to it, there was two teams that were very persistent. We pretty much told them we were keeping our pick.” He continued, “We could’ve really gotten some good players, but in the end, quality won out over quantity. We took the best player for our franchise.” Who was that player? As expected, they selected the top-rated European player, right wing Ilya Kovalchuk, as the first Russian player to be taken first overall. According to Waddell, “He’s the first pick in three years that our staff was in 100 percent agreement on.”

Kovalchuk, who had played for Russia at 2001 World Junior Championships at Moscow, said his main goal was to win the Calder Trophy as best rookie. “I understand it’s a young team but I will do the best I can to make the team a lot better. I wanted to be on this team.” He scored 29 goals that season and was the runner-up for the Calder. In his third season, 2003-04, he earned the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL’s top goal scorer. In February 2010, shortly before the Thrashers relocated to Winnipeg, they traded Kovalchuk to the New Jersey Devils, and he retired in July 2013.

In 2001, Kovalchuk was the first of three Russians who made up the top five draftees. Alexander Svitov was selected 3rd overall by Tampa Bay, and Anaheim selected Stanislav Chistov 5th overall. They were among the 38 Russians drafted that year. They made up 13.1% of the total number of players drafted, third behind Canada (at 37%) and the U.S. (at 14.2%). 

Before the draft began, New York Islanders GM Mike Milbury sought a big trade. The one he made was just another in a long list of questionable trades and draft picks that had some referring to him as “Mad Mike.” Of the “maligned” player he traded for, Milbury said, “You know, I think everybody deserves a chance to make some mistakes. God knows, I feel that way about my situation.” Milbury traded the Islanders’ No. 2 draft slot and Slovakian defenseman Zdeno Chara and Canadian right wing Bill Muckalt to the Ottawa Senators in return for center Alexei Yashin.

Yashin, drafted second overall in 1992, had not had an easy time in Ottawa. When the Senators would not rework his contract, he held out during the 1999-2000 season. Ottawa GM Marshall Johnston remarked, “We’re looking forward to turning the page. To be critical of him would be unfair because Alexei brought us a lot of success. But we’re going to be in Ottawa a long time, and we felt it was time to move on.” Milbury justified the trade saying, “We felt we needed somebody with his credentials, somebody with star power that we can rally around. You never want to give up a pick that high, but you have to give to get.” The Islanders had to be prepared to give a lot because Yashin was looking to more than double his $3.6 million salary to at least $8 million a year. 

As it turns out, Yashin only played five seasons for the Islanders before moving back to Russia to sign with the KHL. As for the Senators, they only kept Muckalt one season, and due to injuries, he only played one more in the NHL. Chara has been the most successful of the players involved in the trade. After playing for Ottawa for four seasons, in 2006 he signed with the Boston Bruins, who made him their captain. He earned the Norris Trophy in 2009, won the Stanley Cup in 2011, and has made it to the Stanley Cup Final twice more since then.

The other part of the trade gave Ottawa the No. 2 draft pick. They chose the top-rated North American, Canadian junior star, center Jason Spezza. Though Spezza was expected to go quickly, some were surprised that Ottawa went for the forward instead of a more-needed defenseman. Spezza was thrilled not to end up with a cellar dweller team. “It’s unbelievable growing up in Canada and getting the chance to play on a great team now. I’ll go in there and ease my way in and try and do as much as I can.” Spezza also exclaimed, “It’s going to be unbelievable, and I grew up on the home turf. It’ll be pretty awesome.” He played for Ottawa for 11 seasons, which included a Stanley Cup run in 2006-07. In July 2014, they traded him to the Dallas Stars, his current team.

All of these players (but for Muckalt) have represented their countries on national teams.

Additional Sources:

• http://www.hookedonhockeymagazine.com/this-day-in-hockey-history-june-23/
• Jeff Schultz, “Thrashers certain of Kovalchuk,” Atlanta Constitution, 24 June 2001, pp. E1 and E4.
• Dave Brousseau, “Thrashers land Russian,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2001, p. 15C.
• Michael Russo, “Spezza relishes call by Ottawa,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2001, p. 16C.
• Jeff Schultz, “Islanders deal No. 2 pick for Alexei Yashin,” Atlanta Constitution, 24 June 2001, p. E4.
• Michael Russo, “Mad Mike Now Has to Sign Yashin,” South Florida Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2001, p. 15C.