Alexander Mogilny – Right Wing (1989-2006)
Alexander Mogilny was drafted in the 5th round (89th overall) by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. Through 16 NHL seasons, Mogilny played with the Buffalo Sabres, Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs.
Alexander Mogilny was known as a prolific goal scorer who ranks 54th in the most career goals scored in NHL history (473) and 80th in NHL career points (1032).
Mogilny’s greatest accomplishment came during the 1992-93 season when he scored 76 goals to lead the NHL. This 76 goal season is the fifth highest single season goal total in NHL history. Only Hall of Famers, Wayne Gretzky, Brett Hull and Mario Lemieux have scored more goals in a single season.
Alexander Mogilny was also a trailblazer for Russian NHL players as he was the first player to defect from the Soviet Union. Though tensions were high between the NHL and Russian hockey at first, Russia began allowing players to leave for the NHL more freely as a result.
Before his defection, Alexander Mogilny represented the USSR at three World Junior tournaments, the 1988 Olympic Games and 1989 Ice Hockey World Championships. His USSR teams have won the Olympic gold medal, World Championship gold medal, and a gold and silver medal at the World Juniors.
During the 1988 World Juniors, Mogilny was voted the tournaments Best Forward and received a spot on the tournament All-Star Team. He also represented Russia at the 1996 World Cup of hockey.
As far as NHL hardware, Alexander Mogilny won the Lady Byng Memorial trophy in 2003 while with the Toronto Maple Leafs and won a Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in the year 2000.
Having won an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship and a Stanley Cup, Alexander Mogilny is a member of the Triple Gold Club which is an elite group of only 29 players. The IIHF considers those awards “the three most important championships available to the sport.”
With a legendary goal scoring title, a Stanley Cup, international success and a history as a trailblazer, there’s no reason why Alexander Mogilny should not be immediately inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Alexander Mogilny was inducted into the Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame in 2011 and the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.
Awards and Honours
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy Winner 2003
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1993
2nd NHL All-Star Team 1996
18th in Hart trophy voting 1996
4th in Lady Byng Memorial trophy voting 1996
8th in Lady Byng Memorial trophy voting 1993
25th in Lady Byng Memorial trophy voting 2001
7th in Team All-Star voting 1992
10th in Team All-Star voting 2001
10th in Team All-Star voting 2003
Played in four NHL All-Star Games
Stanley Cup Champion 2000
World Junior All-Star Team 1988
World Junior Best Forward 1988
Olympic Gold Medal 1988
World Juniors Champion 1989
World Championships Gold Medal 1989
Buffalo Sabres Hall of Fame Inductee 2011
Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame Inductee 2016
Career Statistical Achievements
54th Most NHL Career Goals (473)
80th Most NHL Career Points (1032)
Seasonal Statistic Achievements
NHL Goal Scoring Leader 1992-93 (76)
Top 10 in NHL Goals for three seasons
Top 10 in NHL Points for two seasons
5th Highest NHL Single Season Goal Scoring Total (76 in 1992-93)
International Play
USSR 1987 World Junior Championship
USSR 1988 World Junior Championship
USSR 1988 Olympic Games
USSR 1989 World Junior Championship
USSR 1989 Ice Hockey World Championships
Russia 1996 World Cup of Hockey