Maxim Afinogenov | |||
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Born |
Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
September 4, 1979 ||
Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
Weight | 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb) | ||
Position | Right Wing | ||
Shoots | Left | ||
KHL team Former teams |
Vityaz Podolsk Dynamo Moscow Buffalo Sabres Atlanta Thrashers SKA St. Petersburg |
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National team | Russia | ||
NHL Draft | 69th overall, 1997 Buffalo Sabres |
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Playing career | 1995–present |
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Medal record | ||
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Representing Russia | ||
Ice hockey | ||
World Championships | ||
2008 | Canada | |
2002 | Sweden | |
2010 | Germany | |
2005 | Austria | |
Winter Olympics | ||
2002 | Salt Lake City | |
World Junior Championships | ||
1999 | Canada | |
1998 | Helsinki |
Maxim Sergeyevich Afinogenov (Макси́м Серге́евич Афиноге́нов, IPA: [mɐˈksʲim sʲɪrˈɡejɪvʲɪtɕ ɐfʲɪnɐˈɡʲɛnəf]; born September 4, 1979) is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Vityaz Podolsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Known for his blistering skating speed, he was drafted by the National Hockey League (NHL)'s Buffalo Sabres in the third round, 69th overall, in 1997 and played nine seasons with the club. He then played one season with the Atlanta Thrashers before signing with SKA St. Petersburg in 2010.
Afinogenov was first introduced to hockey by his dad when he was five years old. He married Elena Dementieva on July 16, 2011. His sister Katia Afinogenova married current Montreal Canadiens left winger Max Pacioretty one week later.
Afinogenov was a forward for Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Superleague (RSL) for four seasons. He was drafted 69th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft and played his rookie NHL season in 1999–2000, scoring 34 points in 65 games, while also playing in 15 games with the Sabres' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans. Following his third season with the Sabres, a 21-goal, 40-point campaign in 2001–02, Afinogenov re-signed with a two-year, $2.4 million contract on September 4, 2002. However, that same day, while playing a pickup game in Moscow, he took a puck to the head, suffering a concussion. He was limited to just 35 games in the subsequent season, managing just 11 points. The next season, in 2003–04, he recorded his first career hat-trick on December 31, 2003, at HSBC Arena in a 7–1 win against the Washington Capitals. He finished the season bouncing back from his previous concussion-riddled season with 17 goals and 31 points.