Andrei Kovalev

Andrei Kovalev (b. April 2nd 1966 in Vitebsk, Belarus) is a former professional right winger and current national team coach of the Chinese National Team.

Kovalev was drafted to the National Hockey League by the Washington Capitals in the sixth round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, 114th overall after a good career in the Soviet League with Dinamo Minsk and Dynamo Moscow. He played two more seasons in Russia before trying his luck in North America with the New Haven Nighthawks of the American Hockey League. His stay was short lived, however. After lining up with four teams in one season and a half, Kovalev returned to Europe, more precisely in Germany. In 1994-95, Kovalev topped the Deutsche Eishockey Liga with an impressive 40 goals in 41 games while playing for the Schwenninger Wild Wings. Meanwhile, Kovalev had made his national team debuts with the Belarussian National Team. He immediately imposed himself as an important player for the young national team when he was named best forward of the 1995 World Championship C by the IIHF Directorate.

Kovalev's succesful stay in Germany continued and was acknowledged in 2000-01 with a nomination as a DEL All-Star. He re-joined the 2.Bundesliga Bietigheim Steelers in 2002, where he posted excellent numbers. He finished as the best assist-man in the league in 2003-04 with 55 in 47 games (and a solid total of 80 points). He would also play in the Oberliga with Heilbronner EC and finally return to his motherland in 2006, joining Junost Minsk for two seasons before retiring from playing.

Following his playing days, Kovalev turned to coaching. He served as assistant coach with HC Vitebsk until it was announced in September 2009 that he had joined the China Dragons of the Asia League as head coach. And now, he is a head coach Dinamo Minsk in KHL.