Evgeny Namestnikov

Evgeny Namestnikov
Born (1971-10-09) October 9, 1971 (age 53)
Arzamas, Soviet Union
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for Vancouver Canucks
New York Islanders
Nashville Predators
National team  Soviet Union
NHL draft 117th overall, 1991
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 1988–2005

Yevgeni "John" Yurievich Namestnikov (Russian: Евгений Юрьевич Наместников; born October 9, 1971) is a Russian former professional ice hockey defenceman who spent parts of six seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) and is currently an NHL amateur scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Namestnikov is the father of current NHL player Vladislav Namestnikov and brother-in-law of former NHL player Slava Kozlov.

Playing career

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Namestnikov was drafted 117th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. After spending two more seasons in Russia with CSKA Moscow he came to North America for the 1993–94 season.

Undersized for an NHL defender, Namestnikov compensated for his size by playing a hard-nosed physical game and was an excellent open-ice hitter. Called up midway through the 1993–94 season, he made an instant impact with his strong play through his first ten or so games, but faded and was returned to the American Hockey League. This pattern would continue throughout his four seasons in the Canuck organization - when called up, he would make a quick impact with his physical play, but his lack of size and sometimes questionable decision-making would catch up with him, and he'd find himself back in the AHL.

Namestnikov signed as a free agent with the New York Islanders for the 1997–98 season, but again found himself primarily in the minors, appearing in just two games for the Islanders in two seasons with the organization. After a brief stint in the system of the New York Rangers, Namestnikov was dealt to the Nashville Predators, where he played his final two NHL games in the 1999–2000 season. Following his release from Nashville in 2001, he returned to Russia where he played for five more seasons before retiring in 2006.

Namestnikov appeared in 43 NHL games, recording 9 assists and 24 penalty minutes. He also appeared in two playoff games for the Canucks without recording a point.

Scouting career

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Namestnikov works as a scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Notable players he has scouted include Nikita Soshnikov and Yegor Korshkov.[1]

Personal life

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Namestnikov moved from Russia to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1993 with his wife and eight-month-old son, Vladislav.[2] Vladislav himself became a professional hockey player, playing for the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Tampa Bay Lightning and currently the Winnipeg Jets.

Career statistics

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Regular season and playoffs

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Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1988–89 Torpedo Gorky USSR 2 0 0 0 2 8 1 0 1 8
1988–89 Kvarts Bor USSR-3 6 1 0 1 6
1989–90 Torpedo Gorky USSR 23 0 0 0 25
1989–90 Kvarts Bor USSR-3 17 0 0 0 20
1990–91 Torpedo Gorky USSR 45 3 0 3 20
1991–92 CSKA Moscow USSR 34 1 0 1 37 8 0 2 2 10
1991–92 CSKA Moscow-2 USSR-3 2 0 0 0 0
1992–93 CSKA Moscow IHL 42 5 5 10 68
1993–94 Vancouver Canucks NHL 17 0 5 5 10
1993–94 Hamilton Canucks AHL 59 7 27 34 97 4 0 2 2 19
1994–95 Vancouver Canucks NHL 16 0 3 3 4 1 0 0 0 2
1994–95 Syracuse Crunch AHL 59 11 22 33 59
1995–96 Vancouver Canucks NHL 1 0 0 0 0
1995–96 Syracuse Crunch AHL 59 13 34 47 85 15 1 8 9 16
1996–97 Vancouver Canucks NHL 2 0 0 0 4
1996–97 Syracuse Crunch AHL 55 9 37 46 73 3 2 0 2 0
1997–98 New York Islanders NHL 6 0 1 1 4
1997–98 Utah Grizzlies IHL 62 6 19 25 48 4 1 0 1 2
1998–99 Lowell Lock Monsters AHL 42 12 14 26 42
1999–00 Nashville Predators NHL 2 0 0 0 0
1999–00 Hartford Wolf Pack AHL 33 1 9 10 14
1999–00 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 12 2 3 5 17 3 0 0 0 0
2000–01 Milwaukee Admirals IHL 56 7 22 29 36 3 0 1 1 0
2001–02 Lada Togliatti RUS 50 6 7 13 56 4 0 1 1 2
2002–03 Ak Bars Kazan RUS 34 2 8 10 20 5 1 0 1 4
2003–04 CSKA Moscow RUS 38 3 3 6 18
2004–05 CSKA Moscow RUS 36 0 1 1 26
2005–06 Mytishchi Khimik RUS 18 1 2 3 16
2005–06 HC MVD RUS 25 0 2 2 28
AHL totals 307 53 143 196 370 22 3 10 13 35
USSR/RUS totals 347 21 28 49 316 25 2 3 5 24
NHL totals 43 0 9 9 24 2 0 0 0 2

International

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Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM
1989 Soviet Union EJC 6 0 1 1 6
1990 Soviet Union WJC 7 0 1 1 6
1991 Soviet Union WJC 7 1 0 1 10
Junior totals 20 1 2 3 22

References

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  1. ^ Brownscombe, Alec (June 25, 2016). "Yegor Korshkov selected 31st overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs". Maple Leafs Hot Stove. Retrieved October 6, 2016.
  2. ^ Morreale, Mike G. (7 February 2011). "Namestnikov blends Russian, North American styles". NHL Entry Draft. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
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