Anton Babchuk

Ukrainian ice hockey player

Anton Anatoliiovych Babchuk (Ukrainian: Антон Анатолійович Бабчук; born May 6, 1984) is a Ukrainian-Russian[1] former professional ice hockey defenceman. He played parts of nine seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Calgary Flames. He also played parts of three seasons with Ak Bars Kazan, SKA Saint Petersburg, and Avangard Omsk in the Russian Superleague (RSL) and parts of five seasons with Avangard Omsk, HC Donbass, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod, and Atlant Moscow Oblast of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Anton Babchuk
Babchuk during his time with the Calgary Flames in 2010
Born (1984-05-06) May 6, 1984 (age 40)
Kyiv, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union
Height 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight 212 lb (96 kg; 15 st 2 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Right
Played for Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod
Salavat Yulaev Ufa
Ak Bars Kazan
SKA Saint Petersburg
Chicago Blackhawks
Carolina Hurricanes
Avangard Omsk
Calgary Flames
HC Donbass
Atlant Moscow Oblast
NHL Draft 21st overall, 2002
Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career 2002–2015

Playing career

change

Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Babchuk began playing hockey at the age of three.[2] He began his training with the Sokil Kyiv junior hockey affiliate, a team which included fellow future Ukrainian NHLer Nikolai Zherdev. While participating in an overseas peewee tournament in Quebec, Canada, Babchuk's team found itself competing against a team from Elektrostal, Russia. The rival team's coach, Ravil Iskakhov, took note of both Babchuk and Zherdev, and invited the pair to further their development with the Elemash Elektrostal hockey club of the Russian Major League, to which they accepted together.[3]

He was drafted into the National Hockey League (NHL) 21st overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2002 Entry Draft. Babchuk made his North American debut with the Blackhawks affiliate, the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL), in the 2003–04 season. Babchuk also made his NHL debut by seasons end, appearing in five games with the Blackhawks.

In the 2005–06 season, Babchuk was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes for Danny Richmond on January 20, 2006.[4] Babchuk scored his first goal for the Hurricanes on January 28, 2006. He was also named second star of the game. Babchuk played in 22 games with the Hurricanes for the season and was a part of the extended squad of the Hurricanes as they became the Stanley Cup Champions.

In the 2006–07 season, on February 6, 2007, the Hurricanes activated František Kaberle from injury, forcing them to send Babchuk down to the Albany River Rats. Babchuk was the only possible defenceman they could send down because he was the only one on the Hurricanes' roster that was not subject to waiver wire claims. The next day, Carolina announced that they had suspended Babchuk because of his refusal to report to Albany. In 2007–08, Babchuk played in the Russian Superleague (RSL) for Avangard Omsk.

On July 1, 2008, Babchuk re-signed with the Hurricanes to a one-year contract for the 2008–09 season.[5] He led all Hurricanes' defensemen with 16 goals in 72 games. Following a contract dispute that lead to him requesting a trade out of Carolina, Babchuk turned back to Russia on 19 September 2009, re-signing with Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) club Avangard Omsk.[6] During the very first training day in Omsk, he broke the ice rink glass with a shot at Arena Omsk.[7][8] Babchuk was chosen to play on Team Yashin at the 2nd Kontinental Hockey League All-Star Game.

On July 1, 2010, Babchuk again re-signed with the Carolina Hurricanes to a one-year contract for the 2010-2011 season. This contract was worth 1.4 million US dollars.[9]

On November 17, 2010, Babchuk was traded along with Tom Kostopoulos to the Calgary Flames for Ian White and Brett Sutter.[10]

In 2015, Babchuk retired from playing professional ice hockey.

Career statistics

change
    Regular season   Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2000–01 Elemash Elektrostal RML 7 0 0 0 12
2001–02 Elemash Elektrostal RML 40 7 8 15 90
2002–03 Ak Bars Kazan RSL 10 0 0 0 4
2002–03 SKA Saint Petersburg RSL 20 3 0 3 10
2003–04 Norfolk Admirals AHL 73 8 14 22 89 8 0 2 2 6
2003–04 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 5 0 2 2 2
2004–05 Norfolk Admirals AHL 66 8 16 24 88 2 0 0 0 2
2005–06 Norfolk Admirals AHL 24 5 7 12 22
2005–06 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 17 2 3 5 16
2005–06 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 22 3 2 5 6
2005–06 Lowell Lock Monsters AHL 5 1 3 4 0
2006–07 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 52 2 12 14 30
2006–07 Albany River Rats AHL 9 1 6 7 2
2007–08 Avangard Omsk RSL 57 9 15 24 30 4 1 1 2 6
2008–09 Carolina Hurricanes NHL 72 16 19 35 16 13 0 1 1 10
2009–10 Avangard Omsk KHL 49 9 13 22 36 2 0 0 0 0
NHL totals 168 23 38 61 70 13 0 1 1 10
RSL/KHL totals 87 12 15 27 44 6 1 1 2 6

International play

change

Played for Russia in:

International statistics

change
Year Team Event Place   GP G A Pts PIM
2001 Russia WJC18   6 0 0 0 0
2002 Russia WJC18   8 3 3 6 10

References

change
  1. "Anton Babchuk: In North America they play the right kind of hockey". russianprospects.com. 2007-08-08. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  2. "Anton Babchuk's first North American interview". russianprospects.com. 2002-06-11. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  3. "Nikolai Zherdev: To CSKA fans- Thankyou for your support". russianprospects.com. 2003-01-12. Retrieved 2008-11-10.
  4. "Blackhawks acquire Danny Richmond in exchange for Anton Babchuk". Chicago Blackhawks. 2006-01-20. Archived from the original on 2020-05-24. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  5. "Anton Babchuk agrees to terms with Carolina". Carolina Hurricanes. 2008-07-01. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
  6. "Babchuk signs with Avangard Omsk". Archived from the original on 2011-07-07. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  7. "Anton Babchuk's first day". Avangard Omsk. 2009-09-21. Archived from the original on 2009-09-25. Retrieved 2009-09-21.
  8. "Babchuk at the first training session broke the barrier glass". Championat.ru. 2009-09-21. Archived from the original on 2009-09-27. Retrieved 2009-09-21.
  9. "2010 NHL Free Agency: Hurricanes bring back Anton Babchuk ... again". NBC Sports. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  10. "Flames trade Sutter, White to Hurricanes". Sportsnet. Retrieved September 5, 2024.

Other websites

change
Preceded by
Adam Munro
Chicago Blackhawks first round draft pick
2002
Succeeded by
Brent Seabrook