Alexander Semin
The Washington Capitals selected Semin with their first pick (13th overall) in the 2002 Entry draft. He decided to remain in Russia during the subsequent season, however, and played with a local league club putting up below average numbers, scoring 17 points in 47 games.
In the 2003-04 NHL season, Semin made his NHL debut. He scored 10 goals and assisted on 12 others in 2003-04. However, he missed his team's flight to Pittsburgh when the Capitals closed out their season against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Semin then reported to Maine to play for the AHL Portland Pirates, where he collected 15 points in four regular season and seven playoff games. During the lockout, he went back to Russia. He played there for the 2005-2006 season as well.
On April 11, 2006, Semin agreed to a two-year contract with the Capitals that will began in the 2006-07 NHL season. It looked like he was finally going to get some continuous play in the NHL. Semin played the whole season for the Capitals, aside from missing five games to an injury early in the season. He finished the season 13th in the NHL with 38 goals. Later in the season, Capitals coach Glen Hanlon started Ovechkin and Semin together on the power play and occasionally on the team's first even-strength scoring line.
Semin, who does not typically fight, had 90 penalty minutes during the 2006-07 season, mainly from minor penalties. He was tied for the league lead with eight high-sticking calls on the season, and his 13 hooking penalties were tenth-most in the league. Semin will need to become a more disciplined player if he intends to play at a high level, as he is prone to costing his team in big moments and can prevent them from winning games due to his lack of control.
Semin is extremely talented, however, and can play alongside Ovechkin to make a significant double-sided scoring threat for the Caps. He will continue to earn ice time through hard work and will need to bear down and develop better hockey sense to improve his all around game.
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