In 55 days...

   Our countdown has reached 55 days until the Penguins begin their quest for their 4th Stanley Cup in franchise history. Naturally that means today we spotlight important / unimportant players in franchise history that have worn the number 55 sweater. Larry Murphy, Drake Berehowsky, Ric Jackman and Sergei Gonchar have all had the wonderful privilege to wear 55. Today we're going to spotlight a Russian hero, mentor of Malkin and an offensive defenseman superstar and just an overall great guy, leader, and Cold War hero.

All Hail the Magic Gonch

The Magic Gonch was drafted 14th overall in the 1992 draft by the Washington Crapitals (See what I did there?). The Magic Gonch made his NHL debut for the Caps on February 7, 1995 against the Buffalo Sabres. Gonch went on to play 31 games that season due to the 1994-1995 NHL lockout and shortened season (Bettman sucks). The following year, Gonchar tallied 41 points, thus showing his offensive potential. Gonchar went on to collect 15 goals and 26 assists that season. The Magic Gonch's next milestone came in the 1998-1999 season as he became the first Russian defenseman to score over 20 goals during the regular season. The 1999-2000 season was the Magic Gonch's breakout year. Gonch recorded 18 goals and 36 assists for 54 points on the season. He also finished 5th in Norris Trophy voting that season. Gonchar's best year for the Capitals came in the 2002-2003 season when he recorded 18 goals and 49 assists for 67 points. More remarkable, Gonchar played in all 82 games (what an absolute warrior. All hail the Magic Gonch).

   On March 3rd, 2004 during Gonch's 10th season with the Caps he was traded to the ever so wonderful Boston Bruins for Shaone Morrisonn (who?) and two draft picks. Combined points with Washington and Boston, Gonchar lead NHL defenseman with 58. In addition, during 2000-2004, Gonchar lead all NHL defenseman with 74 goals and 167 assists for 241 points. During the 2004-2005 season, due to the lockout (Bettman sucks) the Magic Gonch played over in Russia with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the KHL. There, he met future Penguins star and the future of "I am Score" Evgeni Malkin, in addition he also played with triple overtime superstar and "guaranteed goal" Petr Sykora.

 The day Penguins fans will find most relevant in all of this is August 4, 2005 when he signed a 5 year $25 million dollar deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. In Gonchar's first season with the Penguins he recored 12 goals and 46 assists for 58 points. In 2006-2007 Gonchar had his best season with the Penguins when he went on to record 13 goals and 54 assists for 67 points. More importantly at the time, Magic Gonch was housing and mentoring "Bitches Love Score" and running train for the Penguins powerplay. In 2008, year of the Penguins first Stanley Cup final appearance against the Wings (#BlameHossa), Gonchar recorded 65 points and 14 points in 20 playoff games. The following season was a struggle for Gonch. During the first preseason game of the 2008-2009 season, Gonch was hit by a random Tampa Bay Lighting jabroni and dislocated his shoulder. Gonchar opted for arthroscopic surgery and eventually made his return February 14th against the Leafs after missing 20 + plus weeks. With the Penguins struggling and the end of the Therrien era, Gonch's return to the lineup was much needed. He went on to play in the final 25 games on the season recording 19 points and helping the Penguins lock up the 4th seed for the playoffs. However in game four of the Conference Semi-Finals, Alex Ovagskin tried to end Gonchar's career by destroying his knee.

The hit was more dirty than a South Side bum and was supposed to keep Gonch out for weeks, however, he made his return for game 7 of the series (#BestInTheWorld). Gonchar returned and the Penguins ended up winning the Stanley Cup in game 7 at Detroit (We all know the story, #BlameHossa).


In 2009-2010, Gonchar's last season with the Penguins, Gonch missed 20 games total due to injury. However, he managed to record his 9th 50 point season and 9th in 10 years, which surpassed Detroit's future hall of fame defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom. Gonchar also had his 11th season with 10+ goals which tied former Penguin Sergei Zubov for most 10+ goal seasons by a Russian defenseman. On March 2nd, 2010 Gonchar scored his 200th career NHL goal, making him the first Russian defenseman to ever accomplish this in the NHL. From the 2000 through 2010 seasons, Gonch recored exactly 500 points, second only behind Nicklas Lidstrom with 550, although during that span Gonchar led all defenseman with 128 goals. In addition, Gonchar led all defenseman in points per game with a .80 average, ahead of Lidstrom who had .76 PPG. During Gonchar's career in Pittsburgh he played in 322 games, scored 54 goals and tallied 205 assists for a total of 259 points.

                                                                                          So where is Gonch now?

Look How Unhappy Gonch Looks

After his five year stint with the Pens, Gonch went on to sign a three year $16 million dollar deal with the Ottawa Senators. Gonchar's best year with the Sens came in the 2011-2012 season where he recorded 5 goals and 32 assists for 37 points. Gonchar (despite playing on mediocre teams after Pittsburgh) has not even been close to replicating what he did with the Penguins and Capitals. Although, Gonchar is up there in age (40) it is remarkable that he continues to put up numbers. Gonch never played out his deal in Ottawa, Gonchar went back to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk because of the NHL lockout (Bettman sucks). From there Gonchar was traded on June 7th, 2013 to Dallas for a conditional sixth round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. The very next day, the Magic Gonch signed a 2 year $10 million dollar deal with the Stars and that's where we are at now. Gonchar's career totals include 1,253 games played, 219 goals, 578 assists for a total of 797 career points. Although obviously what matters most is the +/- stat, in which Gonch would be accepted in Pittsburgh because he is a career +27.

 So, now that you know more about the Magic Gonch, here are some of his career accolades. Gonchar has two Olympic medals playing for Russia. He earned a silver medal in the 1998 Olympic games and a bronze in the 2002 games. Also, Gonch competed in the 1993 World Junior Championship, two hockey World Cups and two Ice Hockey World Championships. Gonchar received votes for the Norris Trophy (defense player who demonstrates throughout the season the greatest all-around ability in the position.") 12 times during his NHL career, including finishing 4th in voting three times and fifth in voting once. Gonchar played in the All-Star game in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2008. He was named to the NHL Second All-Star Team in 2001 and 2003, and finally the one we will always remember the Magic Gonch for, a 2009 Stanley Cup champion with your Pittsburgh Penguins. Gonchar will never be forgotten as a Penguin because of his impact on the club, by mentoring Malkin and just being a great guy overall. Stay tuned tomorrow to see who number 54 will be...