Alexei Zhitnik
Born: October 10, 1972 in Kiev, USSR
Height: 5' 11" Weight: 204 Shoots: Left
Has a twin brother named Dimitri
Position :
Defense
Shoots :
Left
Height :
5'11"
Weight :
208
Birth Date :
10/10/72
Place of Birth :
KIEV, SOV.U
Currently Resides :
East Amherst, NY
Year Drafted :
1991
Round Drafted :
4
Overall Choice:
81
Sweater Number:
44
How acquired
Came to Sabres from Los Angeles on February 14,1995 along with Robb Stauber, Charlie Huddy, and a fifth round
pick (Marian Menhart) in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for Grant Fuhr, Philippe Boucher, and Denis
Tsygurov.
1995-96
Had two five-game assist streaks...Multiple point games: 4.
Career
Played for Team Russia at the World Championships in Austria from April 21-May 5, 1996, registering one goal, one
assist, and six penalty minutes in eight games...Also played for Team Russia in the 1996 World Cup
tournament...Scored a goal on his first shot in his first game as a Sabre (Feb. 15 vs. NY Rangers)...Fourth round draft
choice (81st overall) in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, held in Buffalo...Played at the World Championships in Italy in
1993-94, tallying one goal in six games as assistant captain for Team Russia...Played on the Stanley Cup runner-up
1992-93 Los Angeles Kings team...Posted the second-highest point total ever by a King's rookie defenseman in
1992-93. His point total was also second in the league among rookie defensemen...Represented the gold medal Unified
Team at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France...Prior to joining the Sabres, he'd played in four games lifetime
against Buffalo, registering one assist and four penalty minutes.
1995-96 milestones
Played his 200th game in the NHL on November 1 against Detroit...Recorded the 100th assist of his NHL career on
December 13 against the Avalanche...Played his 100th game as a Sabre on April 13 in Washington.
Personal
...Lists lobster as his favorite food...Agreed to terms on a one year contract with the
Sabres on September 8, 1996...Wife;s name is Luda.
Playing Career