Pavel Datsyuk

Pavel Datsyuk
Born	(1978-07-20) July 20, 1978 Sverdlovsk, Russian SFSR, USSR
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight	198 lb (90 kg; 14 st 2 lb)
Position	Center
Shoots	Left
NHL team Former teams	Detroit Red Wings Spartak/Dynamo Yekaterinburg Ak Bars Kazan HC Dynamo Moscow HC CSKA Moscow
National team	Russia
NHL Draft	171st overall, 1998 Detroit Red Wings
Playing career	1996–present
Website	datsyuk13.com

Pavel Valerievich Datsyuk (Russian: Па́вел Вале́рьевич Дацю́к, IPA: [ˈpavʲɪl dɐˈt͡sʉk]; born July 20, 1978) is a Russian professional ice hockey player and alternate captain for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL) and, for the duration of the 2012–13 NHL lockout, CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He has won the Frank J. Selke Trophy in the 2007–08, 2008–09, and 2009–10 NHL season. He is also considered one of the most talented players in stick handling. Datsyuk also won four consecutive Lady Byng Memorial Trophies, from 2006 to 2009 for performance and sportsmanship. He was nominated for the Hart Memorial Trophy as the league's most valuable player following the 2008–09 season. Datsyuk won the Stanley Cup in 2002 and 2008 with the Red Wings.^[1]

Early years

Datsyuk was born in Sverdlovsk (Cвердловск) (now Yekaterinburg), in the Urals region of Russia. His parents have called him by his short name "Pasha" from an early age. His childhood had more than its fair share of difficulties, especially at the age of 16, when his mother died.^[2] While Datsyuk displayed above-average hockey skills, he was often overlooked by scouts because of his smaller size. He began playing for the farm club of Dynamo Yekaterinburg in the mid-1990s, though he seemed headed for an undistinguished career until noted Olympic trainer Vladimir Krikunov began coaching the team. The boy “with the twitchy walk”^[2] caught the eye of Krikunov, but not on the ice. Instead, Datsyuk excelled on the soccer field, where his anticipation, vision and intelligence were more apparent. Under Krikunov, Datsyuk evolved into a particularly efficient two-way player, and he began to draw wider attention among Russian hockey fans.^[2] Despite his early successes, however, he went undrafted in the 1996 and 1997 NHL drafts.

Personal life

When he was 18, Pavel met Svetlana in Sverdlovsk, Russia. They married three years later, and had a daughter named Elizabeth in 2004.^[3][4] They divorced in 2010.^[5] Pavel is known as the Magic Man.^[6] He has also mentioned that he is a Russian Eastern Orthodox Christian.^[7]

Controversy

When asked about the Russian law outlawing "homosexual propaganda," Datsyuk made a controversial statement about the law. His response was: "I'm an Orthodox, and that says it all." Red wings teammate Henrik Zetterberg criticized the law. Zetterberg stated: "It's unbelievable that it can be this way in this time, especially in a big country like Russia."^[7]

Playing career

RSL

Datsyuk was first noticed by Red Wings Director of European Scouting Håkan Andersson in the summer of 1997–98.^[8] Andersson was in Moscow to scout Dmitri Kalinin, but the one who caught his eye was Datsyuk, "this little guy on the other team." Andersson made another trip to see Datsyuk and would have gone a third time; however, his flight was canceled because of a storm.^[8] A scout from the St. Louis Blues was on the plane as well, and as a result of that storm Andersson believes he is the only NHL scout to have seen Datsyuk play prior to the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, when the Red Wings drafted him 171st overall.^[8]

NHL

Early years

When Datsyuk began his NHL career for the Red Wings, his mentors – including Soviet stars Igor Larionov and Sergei Fedorov, as well as Detroit captain Steve Yzerman – helped him learn his way around the NHL. He was put on a line with Brett Hull and Boyd Devereaux and had a moderately productive first year. The length and difficulty of the NHL season got to him eventually, causing him to sit out a clump of games at the end of the year in preparation for the playoffs. He contributed three goals and three assists to the Red Wings' 2002 Stanley Cup run.

Expectations were high for Datsyuk's second season, particularly with the addition of another highly touted prospect to the team, Henrik Zetterberg. Zetterberg replaced Devereaux on the Datsyuk-Hull line, and the famous version of the "Two Kids and an Old Goat Line" was born. He played only 64 games because of a knee injury but ended up with 51 points in the 2003 season. His playoff performance was a bit disappointing that year, but the same could be said about the entire Red Wings team. The team was swept by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the first round, and Datsyuk was held pointless.

2003-04 NHL Season

The departure of Sergei Fedorov in the 2003 offseason made room for Datsyuk to rise to prominence on the Red Wings. He took full advantage of his extra ice time, where his playmaking skills elevated him to the ranks of legitimate scorers in the NHL. Datsyuk earned a spot in the 2004 NHL All-Star Game. In the playoffs, he had no goals and six assists through 12 games before the Wings were eliminated in the second round.

2004 NHL Lockout

He was a restricted free agent during the 2004–05 offseason but could not reach a deal with the Red Wings despite repeated statements by his agent, Gary Greenstin, indicating his desire to stay in Detroit. He chose not to go into salary arbitration and played with HC Dynamo Moscow during the 2004-05 NHL lockout. On September 4, 2005, Datsyuk signed a one-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the Russian Superleague (RSL),^[9] and Moscow Dynamo matched the offer two days later.^[10]

On September 19, 2005, the day the arbitration committee of the Russian Superleague was set to determine which club had Datsyuk's rights, Datsyuk agreed to a two-year deal with the Red Wings for a total of US $7.8 million.^[10]

NHL career

2005-06 NHL season

During the 2005–06 season, his high level of play combined with his sportsmanship (just 22 penalty minutes for the entire season) won him the Lady Byng Trophy,^[11] the first of four consecutive awards. Datsyuk also earned a spot on the Russian team for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

2006-07 NHL season

During the 2006–07 season, Datsyuk debuted Reebok's new hockey stick with holes bored into the shaft to make it more aerodynamic, dubbed the 9KO.^[12] He completed the season matching his previous campaign's total of 87 points. Prior to the beginning of the playoffs on April 6, 2007, Pavel signed a 7-year contract extension with the Red Wings for US$46.9 million. He helped the Red Wings get to the Western Conference finals against the eventual Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, contributing 16 points in 18 games.

2007-08 NHL season

In 2007–08, Pavel was voted by the NHL fans, along with teammates Nicklas Lidström and Henrik Zetterberg, to start for the Western Conference in the 2008 NHL All-Star Game at Philips Arena in Atlanta. He went on to have a career year with a team-high 97 points in 82 games, also leading Red Wings forwards in blocked shots. In leading the team in scoring, he joined Ted Lindsay, Gordie Howe and Steve Yzerman as the only players in franchise history to do so in 3 consecutive seasons. Going into the playoffs, he scored his first career NHL hat trick on May 12, 2008, in a 5–2 win over the Dallas Stars in game three of the Western Conference Finals, en route to a 2008 Stanley Cup Finals meeting with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In game six, Datsyuk recorded two assists in a 3–2 win to clinch the team's 11th Stanley Cup title and its fourth in eleven years.

Having led the NHL in 2007–08 with a plus-minus of 41 and 144 takeaways (58 more than Mike Modano's second-best total of 86), Datsyuk was awarded the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the league's best defensive forward. With just 20 penalty minutes, he was won the Lady Byng.^[13] In voting for the Selke, Datsyuk received 537 points (43 first place votes) while John Madden of the New Jersey Devils received 447 points and Datsyuk's linemate Henrik Zetterberg received 425 points. In voting for the Lady Byng, Datsyuk received 985 points (75 first place votes). In addition, Datsyuk became the first NHL player to win the Lady Byng three consecutive times in over 70 years, since Frank Boucher of the New York Rangers won from 1933 to 1935. Datsyuk and Ron Francis are the only players to have been awarded both the Selke and Lady Byng trophies during their careers.

2008-09 NHL season

Datsyuk was selected to his third NHL All-Star Game in 2009, but because of a hip injury he did not attend.^[14] However, as per a new league policy that states players must demonstrate injury by missing at least one game prior to the All-Star Game, Datsyuk was suspended one game, along with teammate Nicklas Lidström, for not attending.^[15]

Datsyuk finished the 2008–09 season with 97 points (32 goals and 65 assists), matching his career high. He won the Frank J. Selke Trophy, beating out Philadelphia's Mike Richards and Vancouver's Ryan Kesler, and won the Lady Byng for the fourth consecutive season.^[16] Datsyuk also received a nomination for the Best NHL Player Award at the ESPYs but lost to Sidney Crosby.^[17]

2009-10 NHL season

Datsyuk finished with his lowest point total since the lockout in the 2009-10 NHL season with 70 points in 82 games. As a result of early season injuries to sniper Johan Franzén, center Valtteri Filppula and defenseman Niklas Kronwall, the Red Wings struggled to find consistency. However, a strong finish escalated the team from 9th place in February to 5th, and another 100-point season. Datsyuk scored the first two goals in Game 7 of the first round against the Phoenix Coyotes, including a breakaway deke on Ilya Bryzgalov, that sent the Wings to the 2nd round for the 4th consecutive playoff season. The Red Wings lost in 5 games to the San Jose Sharks.

2010-11 NHL season

Datsyuk achieved a Gordie Howe hat trick on the opening night of the 2010-11 NHL season against the Anaheim Ducks with a goal, an assist and a fight with opposing star player Corey Perry. Datsyuk was yet again impressive in the playoffs, leading his team with 15 points in 11 games. As the Red Wings fell behind 3-0 to the Sharks in the second round (which also happened the previous year), Datsyuk almost led his team back from the deficit to win the series. A game 5 winning assist to Tomas Holmstrom's goal, a game 6 winning assist to Valtteri Filppula's goal, and a game 7 late backhand goal highlights Datsyuk's heroics in an eventual losing effort.

2011-12 NHL season

As a tribute to Ruslan Salei, Datsyuk wore jersey #24 during the 2011 preseason. Datsyuk was an early season candidate for the Hart Trophy winner until a knee injury in February caused the Red Wings to fall apart. The Wings dropped from first place in February to fifth, drawing the Nashville Predators in the first round, losing 4-1. Datsyuk finished with 67 points in 70 games for the regular season, and was also named to the 2012 NHL All-Star Game.

After the retirements of captain Nicklas Lidström and Tomas Holmström, Datsyuk became the only active Red Wing left over from the 2002 Stanley Cup-winning team.

2012–13

As the NHL entered its second lockout in 8 years, Datsyuk followed other prominent names such as Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin to head overseas. Datsyuk signed with HC CSKA Moscow of the KHL in September.^[18] Datsyuk tallied 36 points in 31 games.

During the shortened 2012-13 season, Datsyuk managed 49 points in 47 games. The Red Wings would make it to the second round of the playoffs, being defeated by the Chicago Blackhawks in 7 games on an overtime goal by Brent Seabrook, despite being ahead in the series 3 games to 1. Later in the off-season, Datsyuk signed a 3-year extension to stay with Detroit.

Awards and achievements

NHL

• NHL Second All-Star Team — 2009
• Selected to the NHL All-Star Game — 2004, 2008, 2009*, 2012
• Played in the NHL YoungStars Game — 2002
• Stanley Cup (Detroit Red Wings) — 2002, 2008
• Lady Byng Memorial Trophy — 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
• Frank J. Selke Trophy — 2008, 2009, 2010
• NHL Plus-Minus Award — 2008
• NHL Offensive Player of the Month — December 2003
• Carhartt “Hardest Working” Player of the Month — December 2007
• 2010-2011 NHL Players Poll: Hardest to Take the Puck Off of, Cleanest Player.^[19]
• 2011-2012 NHL Players Poll: Smartest Player, Most Difficult to Play Against, Hardest to Take the Puck From, Most Difficult to Stop, Cleanest Player, Toughest Forward to Play Against.^[19]

* did not attend

International

Datsyuk warms up during a game in Stockholm, Sweden
Medal record
Competitor for  Russia
Ice hockey
Olympic Games
Bronze	2002 Salt Lake City
World Championships
Bronze	2005 Vienna
Silver	2010 Cologne
Gold	2012 Helsinki

• World Championship Best Forward — 2010
• World Championship All-Star Team — 2010
• Voted Best Russian NHL Player by Russian NHL Players – Kharlamov Trophy^[20]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1996–97	Spartak Yekaterinburg	RSL		18	2	2	4	4		—	—	—	—	—
1997–98	Dynamo Yekaterinburg	RSL		24	3	5	8	4		—	—	—	—	—
1998–99	Dynamo Yekaterinburg	RSL		22	12	15	27	12		9	3	7	10	10
1999–00	Ak Bars Kazan	RSL		15	1	3	4	4		—	—	—	—	—
2000–01	Ak Bars Kazan	RSL		42	9	17	26	10		4	0	1	1	2
2001–02	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		70	11	24	35	4		21	3	3	6	2
2002–03	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		64	12	39	51	16		4	0	0	0	0
2003–04	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		75	30	38	68	35		12	0	6	6	2
2004–05	HC Dynamo Moscow	RSL		47	15	17	32	16		10	6	3	9	4
2005–06	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		75	28	59	87	22		5	0	3	3	0
2006–07	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		79	27	60	87	20		18	8	8	16	8
2007–08	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		82	31	66	97	20		22	10	13	23	6
2008–09	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		81	32	65	97	22		16	1	8	9	5
2009–10	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		80	27	43	70	18		12	6	7	13	8
2010–11	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		56	23	36	59	15		11	4	11	15	8
2011–12	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		70	19	48	67	14		5	1	2	3	2
2012–13	CSKA Moscow	KHL		31	11	25	36	4		—	—	—	—	—
2012–13	Detroit Red Wings	NHL		47	15	34	49	14		14	3	6	9	4
RSL totals				168	42	60	102	50		23	9	11	20	16
NHL totals				779	255	512	767	200		140	36	67	103	49

International

Year	Team	Event		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2001	Russia	WC	6th	7	0	4	4	0
2002	Russia	Oly	3 !	6	1	2	3	0
2003	Russia	WC	7th	7	1	4	5	0
2004	Russia	WCH	5th	4	1	0	1	0
2005	Russia	WC	3 !	9	3	4	7	0
2006	Russia	Oly	4th	8	1	7	8	10
2010	Russia	Oly	6th	4	1	2	3	2
2010	Russia	WC	2 !	6	6	1	7	0
2012	Russia	WC	1 !	10	3	4	7	2
Senior int'l totals				61	17	28	45	14

References

External links

• Official Site
• Pavel Datsyuk's player profile at NHL.com
• Pavel Datsyuk's career statistics at The Internet Hockey Database
• Pavel Datsyuk – player profile and career stats at European Hockey.Net
• Pavel Datsyuk in Russian Hockey Players Guide

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Preceded by Brad Richards	Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009	Succeeded by Martin St. Louis
Preceded by Thomas Vanek	Winner of the NHL Plus/Minus Award 2008	Succeeded by David Krejci
Preceded by Rod Brind'Amour	Frank J. Selke Trophy winner 2008, 2009, 2010	Succeeded by Ryan Kesler

Persondata
Name	Datsyuk, Pavel
Alternative names
Short description	Ice hockey player
Date of birth	July 20, 1978
Place of birth	Sverdlovsk, Russian SFSR, URS
Date of death
Place of death