The final member of the 2010 IP Sports Inductee class was voted on by the fans. While the number of votes was tied on the forum, I did receive a couple of e-mail votes that swung in the favor of…
Alexander Mogilny, RW
Buffalo Sabres (1989-1995), Vancouver Canucks (1995-2000), New Jersey Devils (2000-01, 2005-06), Toronto Maple Leafs (2001-04)
Mogilny’s pro career actually started in Russia, playing for CSKA Moscow from 1986 until 1989; he played on a line with Sergei Fedorov and Pavel Bure. He also won a gold medal for the Soviet Union in the 1988 Winter Olympics. After winning a medal in the 1989 World Junior Championships, he came to the United States; he was drafted 89th round of the NHL draft in 1988.
Mogilny’s career in the NHL was a storied one. He scored 76 goals in 77 games in 1992-93, tied for the league lead with Teemu Selanne. This was the first time a European led the league in goals. He also scored 50 goals in 46 games that season, but isn’t included in record books because it was in the 53rd team game that goal was scored.
Mogilny won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2000. He promptly left the team to join Mats Sundin, whom he beat in scoring by 7 points that season; it was the first time that someone other than Sundin led the team in scoring since he joined the league. He won the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy that season for sportsmanship.
Mogilny re-joined the Devils following the 2004-05 Lock Out, but was waived after injury and poor play; he was sent to the AHL, where he became the highest NHL scorer to play in that league.
His career led him to be the first Russian All Star, the first Russian NHL Team Captain, and the second all time Russian scorer in the NHL. He also was the second Russian to score 1000 point in the NHL (days behind former teammate and countryman Fedorov).
IP Sports is proud to add Alexander Mogilny as the first fan inductee into our HOF.
