Sergei Kostitsyn

Junior hockey

Like his older brother, Sergei excelled in the Belarusian Junior hockey programme. Sergei was one of the leading scorers for HK Gomel in Belarus and was drafted in the CHL Import Draft to the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights. Sergei was also drafted in the seventh round, 200th overall in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, the team that also had drafted Andrei in the first round (10th overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.

He had 78 points, 26 goals and 52 assists, leading all Ontario Hockey League rookies in scoring during the 2005/06 season. The 19-year-old was the second runner-up (third in voting) for the Emms Family Award, the OHL Rookie of the Year award, which was won by John Tavares, a 15-year-old for the Oshawa Generals. Second place went to Logan Couture of the Ottawa 67's. Sergei was instrumental in the London Knights' 2006 playoff run, which saw them lose to the Peterborough Petes in the OHL final. In his first ever OHL playoff game against the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Sergei had 6 points, a goal and five assists, in a 6–1 London win The London Knights named him the team's rookie of the year and the playoff performer of the year.

The Montreal Canadiens returned Kostitsyn to London for the 2006–07 season. Upon his return, he was placed on a line with young superstars Patrick Kane and Sam Gagner. For his efforts, he was named an alternate captain. Kostitsyn finished third in OHL and CHL scoring behind teammate Patrick Kane and Oshawa's John Tavares, tallying 40 goals and 131 points in only 59 games. His 91 assists broke the London Knights franchise record of 89 set in 1972–73 by Dennis Ververgaart.

[edit] NHL career

On May 1, 2007, Kostitsyn was signed to an amateur tryout contract with the Hamilton Bulldogs to assist the team in its playoff run. After not being inserted in the lineup, he returned home to Belarus to see his family. On May 26, Kostitsyn signed with the Montreal Canadiens for a 3 year Entry level contract. He returned to be with the Hamilton team during their Calder Cup championship, although he did not see action in any games.

On December 12, 2007, after leading the Hamilton Bulldogs in points since the beginning of the season, Kostitsyn was called up by the Montreal Canadiens. On December 13, he played his first career NHL game against the Philadelphia Flyers and left a good impression despite having little playing time. Sergei got his first career NHL point (an assist) against the Toronto Maple Leafs on December 15. Five days later, on December 20, Sergei got his first career NHL goal against the Washington Capitals. He had a three game point streak from December 20 to December 23.

[edit] International play

Kostitsyn has participated in four World Under-17 tournaments, three World Under-18 tourneys, and two World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, one of which was with his brother Andrei. In the 2006 tournament, he was named tournament MVP of the B-pool, leading Belarus to promotion. Kostitsyn was also named to the Belarus team for the 2007 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. In the teams' first game against Finland, he scored a goal and added two assists in a 4–3 upset victory.

[edit] Career statistics