Radulov continues to deliver in Dallas
Dallas (BVM) — Passion is a trait seen most evidently in the National Hockey League, but there is one player who exemplifies this trait far more than others.
Alexander Radulov, playing for the Dallas Stars, is one of the most entertaining players in the league today. His passionate and fiery style of play has taken the league by storm for years. He possesses excellent offensive skills and phenomenal puck control.
Though, Radulov has a very unorthodox story of how his story has gone down in the league.
Born in Nizhny Tagil, Russia (at the time the Soviet Union), he came to North America in 2004, joining the Quebec Remparts of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). In his first season, he netted 75 points in 65 games. The following season, he doubled that point total, scoring 61 goals and 91 assists for 152 points, setting the current record for most points scored in a single season for the Remparts.
In the QMJHL, his ecstatic play was put on notice. He was known for his wild goal celebrations, including what is now his renowned one in which he twirls his stick and sheathes it like a sword.
Alexander Radulov goals are the best because they're followed by Alexander Radulov celebrations. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/vEvGWqWidB
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) January 5, 2018
He led the Remparts to a 2006 Memorial Cup championship, winning tournament MVP with nine points in four games.
The following year, Radulov would sign a three-year entry-level contract with the Nashville Predators. He made his NHL debut on October 21, 2006, and scored his first career goal against the San Jose Sharks on October 26.
In 2008, it was announced that Radulov signed a three-year contract with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL (Russian professional league), though he still had one year remaining on his contract with the Predators. He told Nashville that he desired to play in Russia due to being offered better conditions.
The Predators, the NHL, and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) said that Radulov’s contract required him to remain in theUnited States and play for the Predators during the 2008-2009 season. It appeared that signing that contract violated the terms of an agreement made between the NHL and other international hockey leagues regarding existing contracts.
Though, Ilya Kochervin, vice president of the KHL at the time, said that Radulov signed the contract before that agreement was ever made.
Nashville gave Radulov until Sep. 1 to decide where he will play. Then on Sep. 2, they suspended him without pay for the 2008-2009 season. Radulov would go on to dominate the KHL, winning two Continental Cups and one Gargarin Cup with Salavat Yulaev Ufa.
In the 2011-2012 season, the Predators lifted Radulov’s suspension, and he rejoined the team before the playoffs were to begin. Then, on May 1, 2012, the night before Game 2 of a second-round matchup with the Arizona Coyotes, Radulov, and teammate Andrei Kostitsyn were spotted at a Scottsdale Bar at 5:00 a.m. Predators general manager David Poile suspended both players for game 3, then announced that Radulov’s contract would not be extended the following season.
Radulov would return to the KHL, signing with CSKA Moscow. He remained with them from 2012 to 2016.
He then decided to return to the NHL when on July 1, 2016, Radulov signed a one-year contract with the Montreal Canadiens. There, he scored 54 points in 76 games.
That following year, he could not agree to terms on a contract with Montreal and decided to sign a five-year contract with the Dallas Stars.
At 34 years old, Radulov remains an offensive force for Dallas, being a key piece in their run to the Stanley Cup Finals last year.
In need of a goal and Alexander Radulov (@RADUL22) comes up clutch! #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/bjYcWyeUCU
— NHL (@NHL) September 5, 2020
Radulov has been sidelined with injuries for most games so far this season. But he has put up 12 points in 11 games he has played. He’ll look to stay on the ice and continue his dominant play.
