Alexander Semin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alexander Semin
Semin with the Carolina Hurricanes in February 2013
Born	(1984-03-03) 3 March 1984 (age 41) Krasnoyarsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height	6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight	212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb)
Position	Right wing
Shot	Right
Played for	Lada Togliatti Washington Capitals Khimik Moscow Oblast Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod Carolina Hurricanes Montreal Canadiens Metallurg Magnitogorsk HC Vityaz
National team	Russia
NHL Draft	13th overall, 2002 Washington Capitals
Playing career	2001–2022

Alexander Valeryevich Semin (born March 3, 1984) is a Russian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a winger. Semin played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for teams like the Washington Capitals, Carolina Hurricanes, and Montreal Canadiens. He also played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), which is the top hockey league in Russia. He retired from playing hockey in 2022.

Playing Career Highlights

Starting in Hockey

Alexander Semin learned to play hockey at the Traktor Chelyabinsk hockey school in Russia. He started his professional career in Russia's second-tier league in 2001. After a good season, the Washington Capitals picked him in the first round of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He was the 13th player chosen overall.

Semin then played for Lada Togliatti in Russia's top league before joining the NHL. He made his NHL debut in the 2003–04 season. He scored 10 goals and 12 assists in 52 games for the Capitals.

A Time Away from the NHL

During the 2004–05 NHL season, there was a lockout, meaning no games were played. Semin went back to Russia to play for Lada Togliatti. There was some confusion about his military service duties in Russia. Russian law requires all men to serve in the military for two years.

Because of these rules, Semin was not allowed to return to the Capitals when the NHL started playing again in 2005. He had to continue playing for Russian teams to fulfill his military obligations. He played for Lada Togliatti and then Mytischi Khimik during this time.

Return to the NHL

Once his military duties were finished, Semin signed a new contract with the Washington Capitals in April 2006. He scored a goal in his first game back with the Capitals. In his next game, he scored three goals, which is called a hat-trick.

Semin celebrating with Alexander Ovechkin during a game in January 2007

Semin became a key player for the Capitals, often playing alongside star player Alexander Ovechkin. He was sometimes called "The Other Alex" because of how well he played with Ovechkin. In the 2006–07 season, he scored 38 goals and 73 points.

Semin with the Capitals in May 2011

In the 2008–09 season, Semin had his best year with the Capitals. He scored 79 points in just 62 games. He also scored his 100th career goal on his 25th birthday. He played for Russia in the 2010 Winter Olympics. Semin played for the Capitals until 2012. He became the fifth-highest goal scorer in Capitals history with 197 goals.

Time with Other NHL Teams

Semin with the Hurricanes in October 2013

In July 2012, Semin signed a contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. During another NHL lockout in 2012, he played briefly for a team in his hometown, Sokol Krasnoyarsk, for free. He then joined Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL.

When the NHL season started again, Semin played well for the Hurricanes. He scored his 200th career NHL goal in February 2013. He played for the Hurricanes until 2015. After that, he signed a short contract with the Montreal Canadiens in July 2015. He played 15 games for them before returning to Russia.

Back to Russia

In December 2015, Semin went back to Russia to play in the KHL for Metallurg Magnitogorsk. His team, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, won the Gagarin Cup in 2016, which is the KHL championship. He continued to play in Russia for several more years. He played for Sokol Krasnoyarsk again and then for HC Vityaz in the KHL.

Alexander Semin officially announced his retirement from professional hockey on May 18, 2022.

Personal Life

Alexander Semin got married to his fiancée Alena in 2014. They have two sons. Their first son was born in August 2015, and their second son, Danil, was born in 2017.

International Achievements

Alexander Semin represented Russia in many international hockey tournaments. He won several medals for his country.

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

Awards and Honors