View source for Sergei Gonchar

[[Image:SGonchar.jpg|right|thumb|Sergei Gonchar in game action]]

'''Sergei Gonchar''' is a defenseman for the [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] of the [[National Hockey League]].  Born in Chelyabinsk, [[Russia]], he is known as an “offensive-defenseman” (in that he scores many points relative to other defenseman in the league), and can often be found playing on the [[power play]].  He has scored more goals than any defenseman in the league since 2000.<ref>http://penguins.nhl.com/team/app?page=PlayerDetail&playerId=8458951&service=page&tab=bio</ref>
==NHL career==
===Early career===
Gonchar spent the first couple years of his NHL career bouncing back and forth from both the [[Washington Capitals]] and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Portland Pirates.  Once he settled into a steady position with the Capitals, he became known as an offensive wizard, enjoying his best statistical season in 2002-2003, with 67 points (18 goals, 49 assists).

===Boston and Pittsburgh===
Gonchar was traded to the [[Boston Bruins]] during the 2003-2004 season, with whom he played 15 games.  After the lockout year of 2004-2005, Gonchar signed a 5-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

==International Play==
During the lockout year of 2004-2005, Gonchar played with Russian team Magnitogorsk, along with future teammates [[Evgeni Malkin]] and [[Petr Sykora]].  He has won two [[Olympic]] medals with Russia and has represented his home country in several World Cup tournaments and World Championship tournaments.

{|class="wikitable" style="width:20%;text-align:center;margin:auto"
!Season !! GP !! G !! A !! PIM !! [[+/-]] !! [[power play|PPG]] !! [[shorthanded goal|SHG]]
|-
|1994-1995
|31
|2
|5
|22
|4
|0
|0
|-
|1995-1996
|78
|15
|26
|60
| 25
|4
|0
|-
|1996-1997
|57
|13
|17
|36
| -11
|3
|0
|-
|1997-1998
|72
|5
|16
|66
|2
|2
|0
|-
|1998-1999
|53
|21
|10
|57
|1
|13
|1
|-
|1999-2000
|73
|18
|36
|52
|26
|5
|0
|-
|2000-2001
|76
|19
|38
|70
|12
|8
|0
|-
|2001-2002
|76
|26
|33
|58
| -1
|7
|0
|-
|2002-2003
|82
|18
|49
|52
| 13
|7
|0
|-
|2003-2004
|71
|11
|47
|56
| -14
|6
|0
|-
|2005-2006
|75
|12
|46
|100
| -13
|8
|0
|-
|2006-2007
|82
|13
|54
|72
| -5
|10
|0
|-
|2007-2008
|78
|12
|53
|66
|13
|8
|0
|}

==References==
<references/>
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gonchar, Sergei}}
[[Category:NHL Players]]