Sergei Gonchar

Date of Birth: Apr 13, 1974
Age: 52
Place of Birth: Chelyabinsk, RUS
Nation: Russia
Youth Team: Traktor Chelyabinsk
Position: D
Height: 188 cm / 6'2"
Weight: 95 kg / 209 lbs
Shoots: L
Status: Retired

Sergei Gonchar Facts

Player Type: Offensive Defenseman
Drafted: 1992 round 1 #14 overall by Washington Capitals

Gonchar had seven points in his first season (31 games played) and showed huge potential, as he transferred smoothly to the North American style of hockey. He broke out as a top-notch offensive defenseman in his second season and followed that up with several seasons of high offensive production, including six straight seasons of 30 or more points. Despite his immense talent, Gonchar never won a Norris Trophy as the NHL’s best defenseman; the closest he ever got was finishing fourth in voting three times.

Overall, Gonchar was an offensively skilled defenseman with an excellent eye for the game. A good skater with good stickhandling. Had a good opening pass and was generally a good passer. He was a lethal weapon on the power play, a world class player and also played sound defense. With a devastating wrist shot and smooth skating skills, he liked to shoot from the blue line, but he was never very physical player.

Gonchar is a two-time Olympic medal-winner with Russia. He earned a silver medal at the 1998 Olympic Games and a bronze medal at the 2002 Olympic Games. In addition, Gonchar also competed in the 1993 World Junior Championship, two World Cups and three World Championships.

Nephews: Mikhail Gonchar, Artyom Gonchar

Team Staff profile also available: Sergei Gonchar

He’s so smart. He knows so much about the game. You just need to listen, and you’ll learn so much from him
— Justin Schultz 2017

You look at his track record, over 1,300 games, 800 points. He's had a phenomenal track record at the NHL level
— Mike Johnston 2015

He took care of me. He’s a great guy and an unbelievable player. He’s my best friend here
— Evgeni Malkin 2013

He’s a very good player, a character player. He’s going to bring a great presence to our dressing room. He’ll help the young kids
— Jim Nill 2013

Sergei is an outstanding defenseman with excellent offensive skills, and he will be a tremendous asset to the Penguins organization
— Craig Patrick 2005

Sergei Gonchar Statistics

S	Team	League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-	Post	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-
1990-1991	Traktor Chelyabinsk	Soviet	0	0	0	0	0	-	Relegation	11	0	0	0	4	-
1990-1991	Mechel Chelyabinsk	Soviet2	2	0	0	0	0	-
1991-1992	Traktor Chelyabinsk	Soviet	31	1	0	1	6	-
1991-1992	Mechel Chelyabinsk	Soviet2	2	0	0	0	2	-
1991-1992	Russia U18	EJC-18	6	1	4	5	8	-
1992-1993	Dynamo Moskva	Russia	31	1	3	4	70	-	Playoffs	10	0	0	0	12	-
1992-1993	Dynamo Moskva-2	Russia2	3	2	0	2	4	-
1992-1993	Russia U20	WJC-20	7	0	2	2	10	-1
1993-1994	Dynamo Moskva	Russia	44	4	5	9	36	-	Playoffs	10	0	3	3	14	-
1993-1994	Portland Pirates	AHL	0	0	0	0	0	-	Playoffs	2	0	0	0	0	-2
1994-1995	Washington Capitals	NHL	31	2	5	7	22	4	Playoffs	7	2	2	4	2	8
1994-1995	Portland Pirates	AHL	61	10	32	42	67	39
1995-1996	Washington Capitals	NHL	78	15	26	41	60	25	Playoffs	6	2	4	6	4	-1
1995-1996	Russia (all)	International	4	2	2	4	2	-
1996-1997	Washington Capitals	NHL	57	13	17	30	36	-11
1996-1997	Russia	WCup	4	2	2	4	2	2
1997-1998	Lada Togliatti	Russia	7	3	4	7	4	11
1997-1998	Washington Capitals	NHL	72	5	16	21	66	2	Playoffs	21	7	4	11	30	2
1997-1998	Russia Olympics	OG	6	0	2	2	0	1
1997-1998	Russia (all)	International	6	0	2	2	0	1
1998-1999	Washington Capitals	NHL	53	21	10	31	57	1
1999-2000	Washington Capitals	NHL	73	18	36	54	52	26	Playoffs	5	1	0	1	6	-3
1999-2000	Russia	WC	6	1	0	1	2	0
1999-2000	Russia (all)	International	6	1	0	1	2	0
2000-2001	Washington Capitals	NHL	76	19	38	57	70	12	Playoffs	6	1	3	4	2	0
2001-2002	Washington Capitals	NHL	76	26	33	59	58	-1
2001-2002	Russia Olympics	OG	6	0	0	0	2	0
2001-2002	Russia (all)	International	6	0	0	0	2	0
2002-2003	Washington Capitals	NHL	82	18	49	67	52	13	Playoffs	6	0	5	5	4	2
2003-2004	Washington Capitals "A"	NHL	56	7	42	49	44	-20
2003-2004	Boston Bruins	NHL	15	4	5	9	12	6	Playoffs	7	1	4	5	4	-4
2003-2004	Russia (all)	International	4	1	2	3	6	-
2004-2005	Metallurg Magnitogorsk Lockout	Russia	40	2	17	19	54	11	Playoffs	4	1	1	2	6	-2
2004-2005	Russia	WCup	4	1	2	3	6	-1
2005-2006	Pittsburgh Penguins	NHL	75	12	46	58	100	-13
2005-2006	Russia Olympics	OG	8	0	2	2	8	-2
2005-2006	Russia (all)	International	8	0	2	2	8	-2
2006-2007	Pittsburgh Penguins "A"	NHL	82	13	54	67	72	-5	Playoffs	5	1	3	4	2	-3
2006-2007	Russia	WC	9	1	4	5	4	4
2006-2007	Russia (all)	International	9	1	4	5	4	4
2007-2008	Pittsburgh Penguins "A"	NHL	78	12	53	65	66	13	Playoffs	20	1	13	14	8	0
2008-2009	Pittsburgh Penguins "A"	NHL	25	6	13	19	26	6	Playoffs	22	3	11	14	12	3
2009-2010	Pittsburgh Penguins "A"	NHL	62	11	39	50	49	-4	Playoffs	13	2	10	12	4	4
2009-2010	Russia Olympics	OG	4	1	0	1	2	1
2009-2010	Russia	WC	5	0	4	4	0	2
2009-2010	Russia (all)	International	9	1	4	5	2	3
2010-2011	Ottawa Senators "A"	NHL	67	7	20	27	20	-15
2011-2012	Ottawa Senators	NHL	74	5	32	37	55	-4	Playoffs	7	1	3	4	6	1
2012-2013	Metallurg Magnitogorsk Lockout	KHL	37	3	26	29	40	19
2012-2013	Ottawa Senators	NHL	45	3	24	27	26	4	Playoffs	10	0	6	6	14	-3
2013-2014	Dallas Stars	NHL	76	2	20	22	20	-12	Playoffs	6	0	0	0	4	-3
2014-2015	Dallas Stars	NHL	3	0	1	1	2	-1
2014-2015	Montréal Canadiens	NHL	45	1	12	13	16	7

Sergei Gonchar Tournament Statistics

S	Team	League	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-
1991-1992	Soviet Union U18	Phoenix Cup	-	-	-	-	-	-
1991-1992	CIS U18	Viking Cup	-	-	-	-	-	-
1997-1998	Lada Togliatti	Euro HL	1	1	0	1	2	-
2004-2005	Metallurg Magnitogorsk	Spengler Cup	4	2	3	5	2	-

Sergei Gonchar Career Totals by League

League	Seasons	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM	+/-	Seasons	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM	+/-
AHL	2	61	10	32	42	0.69	67	39	1	2	0	0	0	0.00	0	-2
EJC-18	1	6	1	4	5	0.83	8	-	0
Euro HL	1	1	1	0	1	1.00	2	-	0
International	8	52	6	16	22	0.42	26	6*	0
KHL	1	37	3	26	29	0.78	40	19	0
NHL	20	1301	220	591	811	0.62	981	33	14	141	22	68	90	0.64	102	3
OG	4	24	1	4	5	0.21	12	0	0
Phoenix Cup (Hlinka Gretzky Cup)	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
Russia	4	122	10	29	39	0.32	164	22*	3	24	1	4	5	0.21	32	-2*
Russia2	1	3	2	0	2	0.67	4	-	0
Soviet	2	31	1	0	1	0.03	6	-	1	11	0	0	0	0.00	4	-
Soviet2	2	4	0	0	0	0.00	2	-	0
Spengler Cup	1	4	2	3	5	1.25	2	-	0
Viking Cup	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
WC	3	20	2	8	10	0.50	6	6	0
WCup	2	8	3	4	7	0.88	8	1	0
WJC-20	1	7	0	2	2	0.29	10	-1	0

* Some data is missing to provide a correct summary.

Sergei Gonchar Career Totals by Team

Team	Seasons	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM	+/-	Seasons	GP	G	A	TP	PPG	PIM	+/-
Boston Bruins	1	15	4	5	9	0.60	12	6	1	7	1	4	5	0.71	4	-4
CIS U18 (Cup)	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
Dallas Stars	2	79	2	21	23	0.29	22	-13	1	6	0	0	0	0.00	4	-3
Dynamo Moskva	2	75	5	8	13	0.17	106	-	2	20	0	3	3	0.15	26	-
Dynamo Moskva-2	1	3	2	0	2	0.67	4	-	0
Lada Togliatti	1	8	4	4	8	1.00	6	11*	0
Mechel Chelyabinsk	2	4	0	0	0	0.00	2	-	0
Metallurg Magnitogorsk	2	81	7	46	53	0.65	96	30*	1	4	1	1	2	0.50	6	-2
Montréal Canadiens	1	45	1	12	13	0.29	16	7	0
Ottawa Senators	3	186	15	76	91	0.49	101	-15	2	17	1	9	10	0.59	20	-2
Pittsburgh Penguins	5	322	54	205	259	0.80	313	-3	4	60	7	37	44	0.73	26	4
Portland Pirates	2	61	10	32	42	0.69	67	39	1	2	0	0	0	0.00	0	-2
Russia	3	20	2	8	10	0.50	6	6	0
Russia (WCup)	2	8	3	4	7	0.88	8	1	0
Russia (all)	8	52	6	16	22	0.42	26	6*	0
Russia Olympics	4	24	1	4	5	0.21	12	0	0
Russia U18	1	6	1	4	5	0.83	8	-	0
Russia U20	1	7	0	2	2	0.29	10	-1	0
Soviet Union U18 (Cup)	1	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	0
Traktor Chelyabinsk	2	31	1	0	1	0.03	6	-	1	11	0	0	0	0.00	4	-
Washington Capitals	10	654	144	272	416	0.64	517	51	6	51	13	18	31	0.61	48	8

* Some data is missing to provide a correct summary.

Sergei Gonchar Career Highlights

Season	Awards
1991-1992	U18 EJC All-Star Team U18 EJC Best Defenseman U18 EJC Bronze Medal
1993-1994	AHL Calder Cup Champion
1995-1996	NHL Most Game Winning Goals by Defenseman (4)
1997-1998	NHL Playoffs Most Goals by Defenseman (7) Olympic Silver Medal
2001-2002	NHL Most Goals by Defenseman (26) NHL Most Points by Defenseman (59) NHL Second All-Star Team Olympic Bronze Medal
2002-2003	NHL Most Goals by Defenseman (18) NHL Second All-Star Team
2003-2004	NHL Most Assists by Defenseman (47) NHL Most Points by Defenseman (58)
2004-2005	Spengler Cup All-Star Team Spengler Cup MVP
2006-2007	NHL Most Assists by Defenseman (54) World Championship Bronze Medal World Championship Top 3 Player on Team
2007-2008	NHL All-Star Game
2008-2009	NHL Stanley Cup Champion
2009-2010	World Championship Silver Medal
2012-2013	KHL All-Star Game (Selected, did not play) KHL Defenseman of the Month (December)

Transactions

Date	Status	From	To
10/27/2015	Confirmed	No team	Retired
10/03/2015	Confirmed	Pittsburgh Penguins	Unknown
08/14/2015	Confirmed	Montréal Canadiens	Pittsburgh Penguins
11/11/2014	Confirmed	Dallas Stars	Montréal Canadiens
06/10/2013	Extension	Dallas Stars	Dallas Stars
06/07/2013	Confirmed	Ottawa Senators	Dallas Stars
09/16/2012	Confirmed	Ottawa Senators	Metallurg Magnitogorsk
07/01/2010	Confirmed	Pittsburgh Penguins	Ottawa Senators

Sergei Gonchar Biography and Trivia

Cult/Star player for Metallurg Magnitogorsk
Cult/Star player for Ottawa Senators
Cult/Star player for Pittsburgh Penguins
Cult/Star player for Russia
Cult/Star player for Traktor Chelyabinsk
Cult/Star player for Washington Capitals

Career transactions
- 2015-10-27 • Announces retirement, becoming Pittsburgh Penguins' Defensemen Development Coach
- 2013-06-10 • Re-signed to a two-year contract ($10M) by the Dallas Stars
- 2013-06-07 • Traded to the Dallas Stars for a conditional 2013 6th round pick
- 2012-09-16 • Signed to a lockout contact by Metallurg Magnitogorsk
- 2010-07-01 • Signed to a three-year contract ($16.5M) by the Ottawa Senators
- 2005-08-03 • Signed to a five-year contract ($25M) by the Pittsburgh Penguins
- 2004-09-21 • Signed to a lockout contact by Metallurg Magnitogorsk
- 2004-08-03 • Re-signed to a one-year contract by the Boston Bruins
- 2004-03-03 • Traded to the Boston Bruins for Shaone Morrisonn & 2004 1st (Jeff Schultz) & 2nd (Mikhail Yunkov) round picks

Gonchar met his future wife, Xenia Smetanenko, then a figure skater for Armenia, at the 1998 Nagano Olympic games.