Andrei Kovalenko

Andrei Kovalenko (born June 7, 1970 in Balakovo, Russia) is a retired professional ice hockey forward. He played in the National Hockey League with the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and the Boston Bruins. He is currently the chairman of the Kontinental Hockey League players association (KHL PA).

Playing career
Kovalenko was drafted 148th overall in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques whilst playing in Russia for HC CSKA Moscow.

He was traded from the Colorado Avalanche to the Montreal Canadiens with Jocelyn Thibault and Martin Ručínský for Patrick Roy and Mike Keane.

In 1996, he scored the final goal in the history of the Montreal Forum, the fourth in a 4–1 victory over the Dallas Stars.

In 1999, he scored the first goal in the history of the RBC Center as a member of the Carolina Hurricanes in a 4–2 loss to the New Jersey Devils.

Kovalenko has not played in the National Hockey League since 2000–01 with the Boston Bruins, and has spent the last four years playing in the Russian Super League. In 2004–05, Kovalenko split time between Yaroslavl Lokomotiv and Avangard Omsk.

Nicknamed "The Tank" by his teammates because of his immovable presence from the goal crease.

Awards and achievements

 * Soviet championship:  1989 (with CSKA)
 * European Ice Hockey Cup:  1990 (with CSKA)
 * Russian championship:  2002 (with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl)
 * Russian championship:  2003 (with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl)
 * European Champions Cup:  2005 (with Avangard)
 * Pajulahti Cup:  2006 (with Severstal)
 * Turnir Puchkova:  2007