Yuri Babenko

Yuri Babenko (born 2 January 1978 in Penza, Russia) is a professional ice hockey player currently playing for MVD Balashikha of the Kontinental Hockey League.

Playing career
Babenko was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 1996 in the 2nd round, 51st overall. After a season in the Ontario Hockey League for the Plymouth Whalers, Babenko joined the Avalanche organization in 1998. After three seasons in the American Hockey League for the Hershey Bears, he finally made his NHL debut for Colorado during the 2000–01 NHL season, playing 3 games in all without registering a point.

Babenko spent another year with Hershey before returning to Russia with Dynamo Moscow. He has also played for Khimik Voskresensk, Metallurg Magnitogorsk, and SKA St. Petersburg.