Evgeny Namestnikov

Evgeny Namestnikov
Born (1971-10-09) October 9, 1971
Arzamas, URS
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 190 lb (86 kg; 13 st 8 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for Vancouver Canucks
New York Islanders
Nashville Predators
NHL Draft 117th overall, 1991
Vancouver Canucks
Playing career 1988–2005

Yevgeni "John" Namestnikov (born October 9, 1971) is a former professional ice hockey player who spent parts of six seasons in the National Hockey League.

Playing career

Namestnikov was drafted 117th overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. After spending two more seasons in Russia with CSKA Moscow he came to North America for the 1993–94 season.

Undersized for an NHL defender, Namestnikov compensated for his size by playing a hard-nosed physical game and was an excellent open-ice hitter. Called up mid-way through the 1993–94 season, he made an instant impact with his strong play through his first 10 or so games, but faded and was returned to the American Hockey League. This pattern would continue throughout his four seasons in the Canuck organization - when called up, he would make a quick impact with his physical play, but his lack of size and sometimes questionable decision-making would catch up with him, and he'd find himself back in the AHL.

Namestnikov signed as a free agent with the New York Islanders for the 1997–98 season, but again found himself primarily in the minors, appearing in just two games for the Islanders in two seasons with the organization. After a brief stint in the system of the New York Rangers, Namestnikov was dealt to the Nashville Predators, where he played his final two NHL games in the 1999–2000 season. Following his release from Nashville in 2001, he returned to Russia where he played for 5 more seasons before retiring in 2006.

Namestnikov appeared in 43 NHL games, recording 9 assists and 24 penalty minutes. He also appeared in two playoff games for the Canucks without recording a point.

International statistics

Year Team Event Place   GP G A Pts PIM
1990 Soviet Union WJC 2nd 7 0 1 1 6
1991 Soviet Union WJC 2nd 7 1 0 1 10
Junior Int'l Totals 14 1 1 2 16

External links

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