Anyone who has ever watched Evgeni Malkin play the game of hockey understands what a dominant force he is on the ice. The dynamic talent from Magnitogorsk, Russia has been one of the most talked about and followed talents in the game since he began his NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006-07. He has starred for the Penguins as well as represented his homeland of Russia on the international stage on a number of occasions. ‘Geno’ made good on his promises when he arrived in the NHL, swiftly becoming a standout player, leading the league in scoring and helping the Penguins capture a Stanley Cup in 2008-09, all in his first three seasons in North America. Following a difficult period of time where he was injured and working to regain his form, Malkin has since rediscovered his flash and dominant high-end talent, and is once again proving to be one of the top offensive players in the world. Although the Penguins were eliminated in the first-round of the 2012 NHL Playoffs, Evgeni had a very strong season, evidenced by him being named as a finalist for a couple of major NHL awards, including the Ted Lindsay Award, voted on by the members of the NHLPA. He also scored 109 points in 2011-12 to lead the NHL in scoring and capture his second Art Ross Trophy. Evgeni is currently showcasing his skills at the 2012 IIHF World Championships, helping Russia strive for the top spot in international hockey. With his high level of play, he will certainly be a force for the Russians and the Penguins for years to come.
- Evgeni is a member of the Russian entry in the 2012 IIHF World Championships, helping them reach the semi-finals
- He led the tournament in scoring through the preliminary round, with 14 points
- By notching an assist in the quarter-final victory over Norway, Evgeni set a new Team Russia record for points in a World Championship tournament (7G, 8A, 15P), eclipsing the previous mark held by NHLPA member, Ilya Kovalchuk