Где они сейчас: Before Lucic, There Was Alexandrov

YURI ALEXANDROV

With a bizarre sub-headline about promiscuous gym teachers, it's safe to say we're off to a great start. In 2006, Yuri Alexandrov felt the same way about his professional hockey career, or at least I think he did.

Alexandrov was selected 37th overall by the Bruins in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft - 12 spots ahead of some Serbian-Canadian named Milan Lucic. While Lucic has turned into a top-six forward who shoulders oodles of unwarranted criticism, Alexandrov has spent all but one of his professional seasons in Russia.

In 2010-2011, Alexandrov decided to give ol' North America a shot, spending six months skating around various AHL rinks with a Providence Bruins logo strapped to his chest. In 66 games, Yuriy Aleksandrov (as its spelled in the motherland), scored 19 points (6 goals, 13 assists) and registered 44 minutes of sin-bin time.

One season in Rhode Island's largest city proved to be all Yuri could handle, as he bolted back to Russia and into the open arms of KHL powerhouse SKA St. Petersburg. Despite having spent the previous five Russian Super League/KHL seasons with his hometown Severstal Cherepovets, Alexandrov was all "nah yo" about the idea of playing where he grew up and pulled a total LeBron if you ask me. Alexandrov's decision to call Leningrad (I paid attention in history y'all!) home was broadcast on all four of Russia's television's. It was the first time something other than The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show had be been broadcast in Russia since the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Since returning to Putin's domain, Alexandrov has spent all but a brief 23 game stint with Avangard Omsk in 2011-2012, donning the SKA red, white and blue. He's dressed 9 times for the Russian national team during European Hockey Trophy matches over the past two years, so I imagine he's doing something right.

Honestly, he'd be an interesting guy to bring back for a training camp in a year or two. Nothing flashy about his game, but he's a solid two-way defender in a league that, despite its' criticisms, is arguably the second strongest in the world.