Vitali Yachmenev

Vitali Yachmenev (born January 8, 1975, in Chelyabinsk, U.S.S.R.) is a Russian professional ice hockey left wing. He was drafted in the third round, 59th overall, by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

Drafted from the Ontario Hockey League's North Bay Centennials, Yachmenev made his NHL debut during 1994–95 season with the Kings, appearing in 80 games and scoring 19 goals. After two full seasons and part of a third with the Kings, Yachmenev was traded to the Nashville Predators before the 1998–99 season, the team's inaugural season. He played five full seasons with the Predators before returning to Russia. He has played in the Russian Hockey Super League since 2003–04, and joined his current team, HC Dynamo Moscow, in 2007–08.

In his NHL career to date, Yachmenev has appeared in 487 games. He has tallied 83 goals and added 133 assists.

[edit] Awards

Emms Family Award (top first-year player in Ontario Hockey League): 1993–94 season
CHL Rookie of the Year (most outstanding rookie in Canadian Hockey League): 1993–94 season
William Hanley Trophy (most sportsmanlike player in Ontario Hockey League): 1994–95 season

Preceded by Jeff O'Neill	Winner of the Emms Family Award 1993–94	Succeeded by Bryan Berard
Preceded by Jeff Friesen	CHL Rookie of the Year 1993–94	Succeeded by Bryan Berard
Preceded by Jason Allison	Winner of the William Hanley Trophy 1994–95	Succeeded by Jeff Williams

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