Andrei Markov (ice hockey)
Andrei Viktorovich Markov (Russian: Андрей Викторович Марков; born December 20, 1978) is a Jewish Russian-Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing and serving as an alternate captain for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He holds both Russian and Canadian citizenship.
Playing career
Markov was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the sixth round, 162nd overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. After being considered one of the best defencemen in Russia in 2000, he came over to North America and split time with the Canadiens and their then-minor league affiliate, the Quebec Citadelles of the American Hockey League (AHL). After rounding out his defensive game, he has become a regular in the Canadiens' starting line-up and is widely considered to be their most complete defenceman.
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Markov played in his native Russia with Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Superleague (RSL).
Markov signed a four-year contract with the Canadiens on May 28, 2007, keeping him with the team through the 2010–11 season. He had a career year in the 2007–08 season, and was selected to his first NHL All-Star Game as a starter, in Atlanta.
