Alexander Mogilny, the electrifying scorer who starred for the Buffalo Sabres is finally receiving his long overdue induction into the Hockey Hall Of Fame.
The Sabres chose Mogilny with the 89th pick overall In the 1988 Draft. Buffalo selected Mogilny, not knowing if he would ever play a game for the team. At the time, Russian born players were barred — not by the NHL but by the old Soviet Union — from joining the National Hockey League.
Mogilny became the first Soviet born player to defect to the NHL. His decision was followed by other Russian players entering the NHL.
Mogilny played for the Sabres from 1989-1995. He scored 211 goals in 381 appearances with Buffalo. His Sabres totals include 76 goals in 77 games in 1992-93. He finished tied for the league lead in goals that season with Teemu Selanne. The Sabres’ draftee finished his NHL career with 1032 points in 990 regular season games. Later, he played for Vancouver, New Jersey and Toronto. He won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2000.
At last, in his 17th year of eligibility, Mogilny, will finally receive the honor he so richly deserves.
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