*Originally published in April 2020
Andrei Markov, one of the Montreal Canadiens’ all-time great defensemen, announced his retirement from professional hockey on April 16, 2020, at the age of 41. Being one of the best at your position for a team with a plethora of legendary players like the Canadiens is no easy feat, but the man they nicknamed “The General” has earned his place on that illustrious list.
Markov spent his entire 16-year NHL career with the Habs before playing three years in the KHL with Ak Bars Kazan and Lokomotiv Yaroslavl from 2017 until the end of this season. He also represented Russia at the Olympics, as well as both the World Junior and Senior Championships. In 2008, Markov captured gold at the World Championships in Canada (Halifax and Quebec City were the host cities).
A Montreal Canadien for Life
Markov was drafted 162nd overall by the Canadiens in 1998 and played his first of 990 games in a Habs uniform in 2000. In 16 years with the club, he scored 119 goals and 572 points. His first NHL goal came on Oct. 19, 2000, against the Philadelphia Flyers. His 990 games and 453 career assists put him sixth in Canadiens franchise history. Among Montreal defensemen, Markov sits tied for second in points with Hall of Famer Guy Lapointe and ranks third in goals behind Lapointe and fellow Hall of Famer Larry Robinson. Markov posted a career-high 64 points in 78 games during the 2008-09 season and made his first of two All-Star Game appearances that same year.
Significant injuries to Markov’s ankle and knee limited him to just 20 games during the 2010-11 and 2011-12 campaigns combined. These painful setbacks put his career in doubt, but Markov bounced back triumphantly with a return to action in March 2012 at the age of 33 following a 16-month absence to rehab from not one, but two knee surgeries. He went on to play at least 81 games in three of his final five seasons with the Habs. During his injury layoff, Markov further strengthened his ties to Montreal and Canada by becoming a Canadian citizen in July 2010.
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Markov’s outstanding career with the Canadiens came to an end following the 2016-17 season and the Russian blueliner is full of gratitude about his time in Montreal.
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