Viktor Kozlov

Viktor Nikolayevich Kozlov (born February 14, 1975) is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Playing career
Kozlov was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the 1st round as the 6th overall selection in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He would play a few seasons in San Jose before being traded to the Florida Panthers on November 13, 1997. It would be in Florida, playing with Pavel Bure, that Kozlov would have his best years. His best season was during the 1999–00 season when he set career highs in assists and points. He played with the Panthers until March 1, 2004, when he was traded to the New Jersey Devils for Christian Berglund and Victor Uchevatov.

During the NHL lockout that wiped out the 2004–05 NHL season, Kozlov played for HC Lada Togliatti in the Russian Superleague (RSL). However, he returned to the Devils when the NHL started up again.

Kozlov was signed as a free agent by the New York Islanders in 2006. On December 3, 2006, he recorded his second career hat trick and first career four-goal game, as the Islanders defeated the rival New York Rangers 7–4 at Madison Square Garden. The four goals gave him a total of six in a twenty-four hour period; he had scored twice the previous night in Pittsburgh against the Penguins.

On July 1, 2007, Kozlov was part of the Free Agent frenzy, when he was signed by the Washington Capitals.

On April 15th, 2009, after fifteen NHL seasons Kozlov scored his first playoff goal as a member of the Washington Capitals.

On June 9, 2009, Salavat Yulaev Ufa issued a press release stating that Kozlov had signed a three-year contract to return to Russia.

International play
Played for Russia in:
 * 1991 European Junior Championships
 * 1992 European Junior Championships
 * 1993 World Junior Championships
 * 1996 World Championships
 * 1998 World Championships
 * 2000 World Championships
 * 2004 World Cup of Hockey
 * 2005 World Championships
 * 2006 Winter Olympics