Anton Babchuk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anton Babchuk |
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Babchuk with the Calgary Flames in 2010
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| Born | May 6, 1984 Kyiv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
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| Height | 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) | ||
| Weight | 212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Right | ||
| Played for | Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod Salavat Yulaev Ufa Ak Bars Kazan SKA Saint Petersburg Chicago Blackhawks Carolina Hurricanes Avangard Omsk Calgary Flames HC Donbass Atlant Moscow Oblast |
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| NHL Draft | 21st overall, 2002 Chicago Blackhawks |
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| Playing career | 2002–2015 | ||
Anton Anatoliiovych Babchuk (Ukrainian: Антон Анатолійович Бабчук, Russian: Антон Анатольевич Бабчук; born May 6, 1984) is a former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played for many teams in his career. These included teams in the NHL in North America. He also played in the KHL in Russia.
Anton was picked 21st overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks. He played for the Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Calgary Flames in the NHL. He also played for several teams in the KHL. These teams included Ak Bars Kazan and SKA Saint Petersburg.
Playing Career
Anton Babchuk started playing hockey when he was just three years old. He was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. He began his training with a junior team called Sokil Kyiv. Another future NHL player, Nikolai Zherdev, was also on that team.
Early Hockey Days
In 1998, Anton played in a big youth hockey tournament. It was called the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. His team from Kyiv played against a team from Russia. The coach of the Russian team noticed Anton's talent. He invited Anton and Nikolai to train with his club in Russia. They both accepted the offer.
Joining the NHL
Anton was drafted into the National Hockey League (NHL) in 2002. The Chicago Blackhawks picked him 21st overall. He first played in North America with the Norfolk Admirals. This team was part of the American Hockey League (AHL). He made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks in the 2003–04 season. He played in five games that year.
In 2006, Anton was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. He scored his first goal for the Hurricanes on January 28, 2006. He was even named the second best player of that game. Anton played 22 games with the Hurricanes that season. He was part of the team when they won the Stanley Cup. This is one of the biggest trophies in hockey! After winning, Anton took the Stanley Cup to Kyiv, Ukraine. He celebrated with his teammate Oleg Tverdovsky.
Return to Russia and Back to NHL
In 2007, Anton played in the Russian Superleague (RSL) for Avangard Omsk. He later re-signed with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2008. He had a great season, scoring 16 goals in 72 games. This was the most goals for any defenceman on his team.
After a disagreement about his contract, Anton went back to Russia in 2009. He rejoined Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). During his first practice there, he shot the puck so hard that he broke the ice rink glass! He was also chosen to play in the 2nd Kontinental Hockey League All-Star Game.
In 2010, Anton signed with the Carolina Hurricanes again. Later that year, he was traded to the Calgary Flames. He signed a new contract with the Flames in 2011. After the 2012 NHL lockout, he played for HC Donbass in his home country of Ukraine. He played alongside other Ukrainian NHL players there.
