Andrei Markov

Andrei Viktorovich Markov (born December 20, 1978 in Voskresensk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union) is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Playing career
Markov was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 6th round, 162nd overall, in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. After being considered one of the best defencemen in Russia in 2000, he came over to North America and split time with the Canadiens and their then-minor league affiliate, the Quebec Citadelles of the American Hockey League (AHL). After rounding out his defensive game, he has become a regular in the Canadiens starting line-up and is widely considered to be their best overall defensemen.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, he played in his native Russia with HC Dynamo Moscow.

Markov signed a four-year deal with the Canadiens on May 28, 2007, keeping him with the team through the 2010–11 season. Markov was set to become an unrestricted free agent.

Markov had a career year in the 2007–08 season, and was selected to his first NHL All-Star game as a starter.

On October 1, 2009, he suffered a lacerated ankle injury after colliding with Carey Price's skate and will be out for 3-4 months.

International play
Played for Russia in:


 * 2007 IIHF World Championship - Named best defenceman of the tournament
 * 2008 World Championships