Mikhail Grabovski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mikhail Grabovski |
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Grabovski with the New York Islanders in 2015
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| Born | 31 January 1984 Potsdam, East Germany |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg; 13 st 3 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk Dynamo Moscow Montreal Canadiens Toronto Maple Leafs CSKA Moscow Washington Capitals New York Islanders |
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| National team |  Belarus |
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| NHL Draft | 150th overall, 2004 Montreal Canadiens |
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| Playing career | 2003–2016 | ||
Mikhail Grabovski, born on January 31, 1984, is a Belarusian ice hockey coach and a former professional player. He is also known as Mikhail Yuryevich Hrabowski. Grabovski played as a centre in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 10 seasons. After his playing career, he became an assistant coach for HC Dinamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
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Early Life and Hockey Beginnings
Grabovski was born in Potsdam, East Germany. His father, Yury, worked there for the Soviet military. When Mikhail was three years old, his family moved back to their home country, Belarus.
Starting His Professional Career
Grabovski was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2004 NHL draft. He was the 150th player picked overall. His first NHL game was on January 6, 2007, against the New York Rangers.
After playing only three NHL games, he was sent to the Hamilton Bulldogs. This team was Montreal's affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). He helped the Bulldogs win the Calder Cup in the 2006–07 season. The Calder Cup is the championship trophy for the AHL.
Grabovski played a few more games with the Canadiens in the 2007–08 season. He got his first NHL assist on October 20, 2007. Two days later, he scored his first NHL goal.
Playing in the NHL
Time with the Toronto Maple Leafs
On July 3, 2008, Grabovski was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had a great first full season with the Maple Leafs. He scored 20 goals and earned 48 points. This made him the top-scoring rookie in the NHL Eastern Conference.
Because of his strong performance, the Maple Leafs signed him to a new contract. In the 2010–11 season, he scored 58 points. This was the most points by a Maple Leafs centre since Mats Sundin in 2007–08. On March 6, 2012, Toronto signed Grabovski to another five-year contract.
Playing During the NHL Lockout
In September 2012, the NHL season was delayed due to a lockout. Grabovski decided to play for CSKA Moscow in the KHL during this time. When the NHL season started again, he played 48 games. On July 4, 2013, the Maple Leafs decided to buy out his contract. This meant he became a free agent.
Joining the Washington Capitals
As a free agent, Grabovski signed a one-year contract with the Washington Capitals on August 23, 2013. In his very first game with the Capitals, he scored three goals, which is called a hat-trick. This happened on October 1, 2013, in a game against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Grabovski finished the 2013–14 season with 35 points in 58 games. However, the Capitals did not make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs that year.
Moving to the New York Islanders
On July 2, 2014, Grabovski signed a four-year contract with the New York Islanders. He joined the Islanders with his friend and former teammate, Nikolay Kulemin. They wanted to sign with the same team.
Unfortunately, Grabovski faced many injuries while playing for the Islanders. A serious concussion kept him from playing during the entire 2016–17 season.
Final Years in the NHL
On June 21, 2017, the Vegas Golden Knights picked Jean-François Bérubé from the Islanders in the NHL expansion draft. As part of this trade, Grabovski's final year of contract was also sent to the Golden Knights. He wanted to play for the team and attended a physical. However, he did not play any games for the Golden Knights.
In June 2019, Grabovski announced that he was retiring from playing hockey. He said he wanted to try coaching instead.
Coaching Career
On June 15, 2019, Grabovski was announced as an assistant coach for HC Dinamo Minsk in the KHL.
International Play
 Grabovski with Team Belarus |
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| Medal record | ||
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| Representing Belarus |
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| Men's ice hockey | ||
| Ice Hockey World Championships | ||
| Gold | 2004 Norway | Division I Group A |
| World Junior Ice Hockey Championships | ||
| Gold | 2004 France | Division I Group B |
Grabovski has played for the Belarus in many international tournaments. He scored four goals in the 2005 IIHF World Championship. He was chosen to play for Belarus at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. However, he could not play due to an injury.
A few months later, he played in the 2010 IIHF World Championship for Belarus. Grabovski was named captain of the Belarusian team for the 2011 IIHF World Championship in Slovakia. In total, he played in seven major international tournaments for his country.
Personal Life
Mikhail Grabovski and his wife, Kate Van Alstyne, have four children. Their first child, a daughter, was born on December 30, 2010. He missed a Maple Leafs game to be there for her birth. Their second child, a son, was born on December 6, 2011. They named him Jaeger, after the singer Mick Jagger. Their third child, Charlie, was born on December 13, 2017. Their fourth child, James, was born on April 16, 2025.
