Sergei Viktorovich Gonchar (born 13 April 1974 in
Chelyabinsk, USSR) is a Russian professional ice
hockey defenceman who currently plays for the
Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League.
Sergei Gonchar began his professional career in 1991
with Traktor Chelyabinsk in the Russian Super
League. He also played two seasons for Moscow
Dynamo.
Gonchar was the 1st round pick, 14th overall, of the
Washington Capitals in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. He
began his North American career in 1994, suiting up
in two playoff games for the Capitals' AHL
affiliate, the Portland Pirates. He continued with
Portland in 1994–95, before making his NHL debut,
with the Capitals, on February 7, 1995 against the
Buffalo Sabres. He would appear in 31 games total
during the lockout-shortened 1994–95 season. The
following year, in his first full-length campaign in
the NHL, Gonchar would tally 41 points, showing his
potential as an effective offensive defenceman.
In 2000–01, after recording 50-plus points for the
second consecutive season, Gonchar was named to the
NHL Second All-Star Team. During the 2002–03 season,
he recorded a career-high 67 points, and was once
more named a Second Team All-Star.
On March 3, 2004, in his ninth season with the
Capitals, Gonchar was traded to the Boston Bruins
for Shaone Morrisonn and two draft picks in the 2004
NHL Entry Draft. Finishing the season with Boston,
he would tally 58 points, leading all league
defencemen. Between 2000 and 2004, Gonchar recorded
more points than any other defenceman, with 74 goals
and 241 points.
During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Gonchar returned to
Russia to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk, where he
played with future teammates Petr Sýkora and Evgeni
Malkin. After the lockout, Gonchar signed a 5-year,
$25 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins on
August 4, 2005.
In 2006–07, his second season with Pittsburgh,
Gonchar tied his personal-best points total, with
67. The following season, he scored 65 points,
marking the eighth 50-plus point season of his
career.
Gonchar has appeared in five NHL All-Star Games, in
2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2008.
