Alexander Semin

Alexander Valeryevich Semin (Russian: Александр Валерьевич Сёмин, Russian pronunciation: [ɐlʲɪˈksandr sʲɵˈmʲin]; born 3 March 1984) is a Russian professional ice hockey winger who is currently signed to HC Vityaz of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the highest league in Russia. He has previously played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens.

This article is about the hockey player. For Soviet international footballer, see Aleksandr Syomin.

Alexander Semin
Semin with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2013
Born (1984-03-03) 3 March 1984
Krasnoyarsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb)
Position Right Wing
Shoots Right
KHL team
Former teams		 HC Vityaz
Lada Togliatti
Washington Capitals
Khimik Moscow Oblast
Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
Carolina Hurricanes
Montreal Canadiens
Metallurg Magnitogorsk
National team  Russia
NHL Draft 13th overall, 2002
Washington Capitals
Playing career 2001–present

Playing career

Early career

Semin was trained in the Traktor Chelyabinsk hockey school and made his professional debut in Russia's second-tier Russian Major League in 2001–02. After scoring 13 goals and 8 assists with Chelyabinsk that season, the Washington Capitals selected Semin in the first round, 13th overall, at the 2002 NHL Entry Draft (Washington's second overall pick, having drafted Steve Eminger 12th overall). Remaining in Russia for the subsequent season, he joined Lada Togliatti of the first-tier Russian Superleague (RSL) in 2002–03 and scored 10 goals and 7 assists in 47 games.

Semin made his NHL debut in the 2003–04 season, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists in 52 games. However, he missed his team's flight to Pittsburgh when the Capitals closed out their season against the Pittsburgh Penguins.[1] Semin then reported to Maine to play for the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Portland Pirates, where he collected 15 points in 4 regular season and 7 playoff games.

Military duty controversy

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Semin returned to Russia and played 50 games for Lada Togliatti, recording 19 goals and 11 assists and compiling a plus-minus rating of +15. The Capitals suspended him for that whole season for not reporting to their then-AHL affiliate, the Portland Pirates, preferring the club's younger players to play the locked-out season with their farm team.[2] (Alexander Ovechkin, meanwhile, the Capitals' 2004 first-round pick, remained with his Russian club, Dynamo Moscow, because the Capitals felt he would have been ready to play in the NHL.[3])

Due to confusion about Semin's obligations to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, which requires all Russian men to serve two years, Semin was not allowed to return to the Capitals when NHL resumed the following season in 2005–06. Russian Armed Forces allow conscripted soldiers who are hockey players to play for professional teams in Russia during their period of service, but they are not allowed to play for teams based in other countries. However, other young Russian players, such as Nikolay Zherdev and Alexander Ovechkin, were allowed to return to their NHL clubs following the lockout, circumventing any additional military duty they had to serve in Russia.[4]

While Semin's 2004–05 season with Lada was considered his first year of military service, it was arranged for Semin to continue with Lada for his second year of service in 2005–06. Lada is located in the military district into which Semin was drafted, and they were the only team with whom Semin could fulfill his military obligation.[5] He was signed to a tax-free, $2 million contract, along with a car and a condominium.[2] News about Lada's struggling financial situation early in the season initially offered the Capitals some hope that Semin would join the team after all. It was reported the Russian team was expected to cut its payroll in half, while Semin was Lada's highest paid player.[2]

On 26 October 2005, Capitals general manager George McPhee announced the Capitals had filed a complaint against Semin and his agent, Mark Gandler. McPhee stated, "We have done everything we could to avoid this step, but we felt we had no choice but to now seek a legal remedy. This filing seeks to compel Alexander Semin's agent and the Russian hockey team Lada Togliatti to return Alex to the Washington Capitals... We look forward to the resolution of this process so that we can welcome Alex back to the Capitals this season."[6] Likewise, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said, "This is a situation where a valid, legally-binding contract is not being honored, and that's not right."[7] U.S. District Court Judge Henry H. Kennedy, Jr., issued a temporary restraining order on 4 November 2005 ordering Gandler and his International Sports Advisors Company to stop representing Semin in contracts with teams other than the Capitals. Due to Lada Togliatti's financial challenges, Lada released Semin, but he instead signed with Russian squad Mytischi Khimik on 22 November.

On 5 December 2005, Kennedy denied the Capitals request for preliminary injunctions against Semin and Gandler. Alexander Berkovich, Semin's lawyer, stated Semin intended to play for Khimik for the remainder of the 2005–06 season, and that Semin's military obligations would be fulfilled by fall 2006.[8] He completed the campaign with 9 points in 15 games with Lada and 10 points in 26 games with Khimik.

Return to the NHL/Years in Washington
Semin with the Capitals in the 2011 playoffs

With Semin's military obligations fulfilled, he agreed to a two-year contract with the Capitals on 11 April 2006, resolving the conflict between the two parties.[9] Playing in his first game for the Capitals in two years, Semin scored the team's first goal of the 2006–07 season against the New York Rangers on 5 October 2006. In his next game, against the Carolina Hurricanes, he recorded a hat-trick. On 18 March 2007, Semin tallied the second natural hat-trick of his career against the Tampa Bay Lightning, scoring three goals on three successive shots in a span of 7:04 in the second period. Late in the season, Capitals' head coach Glen Hanlon started Ovechkin and Semin together on the powerplay and occasionally on the team's first scoring line. Ovechkin and Semin finished as the team's top two scorers, and Semin soon became known as "The Other Alex".[10] He completed the season with 38 goals (13th in NHL scoring)[11] and 73 points in 77 games, missing five games to an injury early in the season. Semin was one of three 30-goal scorers for the Capitals for the season, along with Ovechkin and captain Chris Clark.

After a successful NHL comeback in 2006–07, Semin struggled in comparison during the 2007–08 season, scoring 42 points while being sidelined for 19 games. Along with Ovechkin and second-year forward Nicklas Bäckström, Semin helped form a highly offensive core with the Capitals in 2008–09. On 3 March 2009, Semin's 25th birthday, he scored his 100th career goal, against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Cam Ward. Semin spent much of the first couple months of the season as the NHL's top point-scorer, but tailed off as he began to experience injury troubles. Regardless, he finished with a career-high 79 points in just 62 games, third in Capitals scoring behind Ovechkin and Bäckström. In the 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs, Semin added 14 points in 14 games, including a three-point effort (two goals and an assist) on 20 April 2009, leading the Capitals to a crucial playoff win against the New York Rangers in Game 3 of the opening round.

Midway through the 2009–10 season, Semin signed a one-year, $6 million contract extension with the Capitals.[12]

Semin played for Russia in the 2010 Winter Olympics.[13]

In Washington's 2010 quarter-final match-up against the Montreal Canadiens, Semin received large amounts of criticism due to his poor play, as he did not score any goals despite firing 44 shots on Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halák. He finished the series with just two assists in seven games as Montreal upset Washington 4–3 in the series, with the Capitals blowing a 3–1 series lead.

Semin signed another one-year extension with the Washington Capitals on 27 January 2011, worth $6.7 million. He became an unrestricted free agent on 1 July 2012.[14]

On 5 April 2012, Semin became the fifth-highest all-time leading goal scorer of the Capitals with his 197th goal.

Carolina Hurricanes

On 26 July 2012, the Carolina Hurricanes signed Semin to a one-year, $7 million contract.[15]

On 25 September 2012, it was announced that for the time of 2012–13 NHL lockout, Semin would sign with Sokol Krasnoyarsk from Russian Major League, the Russian second-tier hockey division.[16] He would wear jersey number 28 with the club. Despite the fact he had offers from top-level Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) clubs, he chose to play for a club from his hometown for free.[17] However, after playing four games with Sokol, Semin signed a contract with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod of the KHL. The president of Torpedo, Oleg Kondrashov, praised Semin for joining Sokol at first, saying, "The player's decision to pay tribute to the team that brought him up does credit to him," though he also added, "But a player of such high level should play in KHL."[18]

Semin scored his 200th career goal on 11 February 2013, helping his team to a 6–4 victory over the New York Islanders.[19] On 25 March 2013, the Hurricanes signed Semin to a five-year, $35 million contract extension.[20]

On 30 June 2015, Semin was waived by the Hurricanes with the intent of him being bought out.

Montreal Canadiens

On 24 July 2015, Semin signed a one-year, $1.1 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens.[21] He was then waived by the Canadiens in December. After going unclaimed, Semin refused to report to the AHL and sought a contract termination the following day.

Return to Russia

On 15 December 2015, Semin returned to play in his native Russia, signing for the remainder of the season with Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL.[22] Metallurg Magnitogorsk won the Gagarin Cup on 19 April 2016.[23] He was named, twice, on the list of most beautiful goals.[24]

On 28 May 2016, Semin agreed to a one-year contract extension with Metallurg Magnitogorsk. In July 2017, Semin enrolled in a metallurgy course at Siberian Federal University,[25] but continued his career with Sokol Krasnoyarsk of the Supreme Hockey League, the second-highest Russian hockey league.[26]

On 8 May 2018, Semin signed a one-year contract with HC Vityaz, marking his return to the KHL.[27]

Personal life

In 2014, Semin married his fiancé Alena and on 19 August 2015, she gave birth to a son. In 2017, they had their second son, Danil.[28]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs
Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2000–01 Traktor-2 Chelyabinsk RUS.3 4 1 0 1 14 — — — — —
2001–02 Traktor Chelyabinsk RUS.2 46 13 8 21 52 — — — — —
2001–02 Traktor-2 Chelyabinsk RUS.3 2 4 0 4 4 — — — — —
2002–03 Lada Togliatti RSL 47 10 7 17 36 10 5 3 8 10
2002–03 Lada-2 Togliatti RUS.3 2 0 0 0 2 — — — — —
2003–04 Washington Capitals NHL 52 10 12 22 36 — — — — —
2003–04 Portland Pirates AHL 4 3 1 4 6 7 4 7 11 19
2004–05 Lada Togliatti RSL 50 19 11 30 56 10 1 1 2 0
2004–05 Lada-2 Togliatti RUS.3 1 1 2 3 0 — — — — —
2005–06 Lada Togliatti RSL 16 5 4 9 52 — — — — —
2005–06 Lada-2 Togliatti RUS.3 2 2 0 2 4 — — — — —
2005–06 Khimik Moscow Oblast RSL 26 3 7 10 26 8 3 2 5 6
2006–07 Washington Capitals NHL 77 38 35 73 90 — — — — —
2007–08 Washington Capitals NHL 63 26 16 42 54 7 3 5 8 8
2008–09 Washington Capitals NHL 62 34 45 79 77 14 5 9 14 16
2009–10 Washington Capitals NHL 73 40 44 84 66 7 0 2 2 4
2010–11 Washington Capitals NHL 65 28 26 54 71 9 4 2 6 8
2011–12 Washington Capitals NHL 77 21 33 54 56 14 3 1 4 10
2012–13 Sokol Krasnoyarsk VHL 4 2 2 4 8 — — — — —
2012–13 Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod KHL 20 7 10 17 10 — — — — —
2012–13 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 44 13 31 44 14 — — — — —
2013–14 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 65 22 20 42 42 — — — — —
2014–15 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 57 6 13 19 32 — — — — —
2015–16 Montreal Canadiens NHL 15 1 3 4 12 — — — — —
2015–16 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 20 5 9 14 43 23 7 8 15 20
2016–17 Metallurg Magnitogorsk KHL 58 16 14 30 38 18 0 2 2 20
2017–18 Sokol Krasnoyarsk VHL 31 8 20 28 30 8 5 3 8 36
2018–19 HC Vityaz KHL 54 19 22 41 43 4 0 1 1 4
2019–20 HC Vityaz KHL 50 18 20 38 69 — — — — —
NHL totals 650 239 278 517 582 51 15 19 34 46
KHL totals 202 65 75 140 203 45 7 11 18 44

Semin at the 2010 Winter Olympics
Medal record
Ice hockey
Representing Russia
World Championships
2012 Helsinki
2010 Germany
2008 Quebec City
2005 Vienna

International
Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2002 Russia WJC18 8 8 7 15 16
2003 Russia WC 5th 6 0 0 0 0
2004 Russia WJC 5th 6 2 2 4 10
2005 Russia WC 6 3 0 3 8
2006 Russia WC 5th 7 3 3 6 8
2008 Russia WC 9 6 7 13 8
2010 Russia OG 6th 4 0 2 2 4
2010 Russia WC 8 1 4 5 12
2012 Russia WC 3 2 3 5 0
2014 Russia OG 5th 5 0 1 1 0
Junior totals 14 10 9 19 26
Senior totals 48 15 20 35 40

Awards and honors
Award Year
KHL
Gagarin Cup (Metallurg Magnitogorsk) 2016 [29]
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References
  1. La Canfora, Jason (5 April 2004). "This Season Was the Worst Since 1977-78". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 May 2015.
  2. "Semin could still play with Caps". TheFourthPeriod.com. 2005. Archived from the original on 14 December 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-01.
  3. El-Bashir, Tarik (6 August 2005). "Ovechkin Agrees to Contract With Caps". The Washington Post. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  4. Yatsenko, Alexei (2003). "Nikolai Zherdev: Russian Media's Whipping Boy". RussianProspects.com. Archived from the original on 30 December 2006. Retrieved 1 February 2007.
  5. El-Bashir, Tarik (11 August 2005). "Zubrus, Semin May Miss Start of Camp, If Not More". WashingtonPost.com. Retrieved 1 February 2007.
  6. "George McPhee Statement on Alexander Semin". WashingtonCaps.com. 2005. Archived from the original on 23 May 2006. Retrieved 1 February 2007.
  8. "Caps' Attempt to Force Semin to Return Suffers Court Setback". The Washington Post. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 23 April 2010.
  9. "Archived item". Archived from the original on 28 May 2006. Retrieved 12 April 2006.
  11. "NHL Hockey Statistics and League Leaders - National Hockey League - ESPN". ESPN.com.
  12. "Capitals sign Semin to one-year extension worth $6M". The Sports Network. 26 December 2009. Archived from the original on 25 January 2010. Retrieved 26 December 2009.
  13. "Ovechkin will lead Russia's attack in Vancouver". ESPN.com. 25 December 2009.
  14. "Alexander Semin's new deal worth $6.7 million". The Washington Post.
  15. "'Canes agree to terms with Alexander Semin". National Hockey League. 26 July 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2012.
  16. "Александр Сёмин сыграет за "Сокол"". Sokol Krasnoyarsk site.
  17. RIA Novosti (24 September 2012). "Semin Joins Hometown Team for Free in Lockout". RIA Novosti. Retrieved 26 September 2012.
  18. RIA Novosti (12 October 2012). "Lockout: Carolina's Semin Signs for Torpedo". RIA Novosti. Retrieved 13 October 2012.
  19. "'Alexander Semin nets 200th career goal as Hurricanes rally".
  20. "'Carolina Hurricanes sign Semin to a five-year extension". The National Hockey League.
  21. "'Canadiens take on Alex Semin with 1-year, $1.1 million deal". Yahoo Sports.
  22. "Semin signs a contract with Magnitogorsk" (in Russian). Championat.com. 15 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  23. "Hockey player Alexander Semin became Gagarin Cup holder in the "Metallurg"". sibnovosti.ru (in Russian). 20 April 2016.
  24. "Gagarin Cup. KHL goal Riddervallya recognized the best in the playoffs" (in Russian). Sports.ru. 23 April 2016.
  25. Former Capital Alexander Semin Starts a New Chapter in Life
  26. https://www.russianmachineneverbreaks.com/2017/10/16/alex-semin-still-hoping-return-khl-plays-local-minor-league-team-krasnoyarsk/
  27. "Semin returns to KHL. May 8 transfer highlights". Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  28. "Alex Semin comes to the US following the birth of his second child, Danil". russianmachineneverbreaks.com. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  29. "Magnitogorsk wins 2nd Gagarin Cup in 3 years". rt.com. 19 April 2016. Retrieved 19 April 2016.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Steve Eminger		 Washington Capitals first round draft pick
2002		 Succeeded by
Boyd Gordon
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