Toronto Maple Leafs News

Alexei Ponikarovsky

Alexei Ponikarovsky (Ukrainian: Олексій Понікаровський, born April 9, 1980 in Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, SU, now Ukraine) is a professional ice hockey player in the NHL. Since 1998 he has played left wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their former AHL affiliate, the St. John’s Maple Leafs. On June 7th, 2007 Alexei Ponikarovsky became a Canadian Citizen during a ceremony in Etobicoke, Ontario.Prior to being drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1998, Alexei Ponikarovsky played for the Dynamo Moscow, one of the premier clubs in the Soviet Union.Alexei Ponikarovsky played for Dynamo 2 and Dynamo Jr., farm teams during 95-99 campaigns, seeing a little action with the main club during the 98-99 season and finally becoming a fixture on the team during the 99-00 season when Dynamo won the Russian Super League Championship.In 1997-98, Alexei Ponikarovsky played 24 games for Moscow Dynamo in the First Division of the Russian Hockey League collecting three points with 30 penalty minutes. He then played 13 games for Krylya Sovetov of the Russian Elite League in 1998-99 and played three playoff games for Moscow Dynamo.

In 1999-00, Alexei Ponikarovsky played 19 games for Moscow Dynamo of the Russian Elite League and played 29 games for THK Tver in the First Division of the Russian Hockey League collecting 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) with 26 penalty minutes.

In the 2005-2006 NHL Season, Alexei Ponikarovsky put up career highs in goals, assists. points, and penalty minutes. He saw added responsibility and was given more ice-time, often with former Moscow Dynamo teammate Nik Antropov or Mats Sundin, and became one of the team’s regular penalty-killers. Alexei Ponikarovsky finished the season with four shorthanded goals and 1 assist. His four shorthanded goals tied ten players, including teammate Matt Stajan, for eighth in the league.[2]

On December 16, 2006 Alexei Ponikarovsky notched a career high five points in Toronto’s 9-2 victory of the New York Rangers, scoring two goals and assisting on three others. He is commonly referred to by his teammates as “The Poni Express” , “The Ukraine Train” or simply “Poni”. On May 10, 2007, the Maple Leafs re-signed Alexei Ponikarovsky to a $6.315 million, 3 year contract.

Alexei Ponikarovsky Scouting Report

Assets Is usually among the most industrious skaters on the ice. Displays a sound two-way game and a little offensive ability. Has good size and strength.
Flaws Will never be confused with a natural goal-scorer. Doesn’t always take full advantage of his imposing frame. Misses a lot of quality scoring chances.
Career potential Top six winger.

Alexei Ponikarovsky Transactions / Injuries / Suspensions

18-Oct-07: Missed 3 games (ankle injury).
11-Oct-07: Ankle injury, day-to-day.
10-May-07: Re-signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs to a three-year contract extension.
16-Jan-07: Missed 11 games (shoulder injury).
22-Dec-06: Shoulder injury, day-to-day.
07-Sep-05: Re-signed as a restricted free agent by the Toronto Maple Leafs to a two-year contract.

Alexei Ponikarovsky Trades

27-Jun-98: Drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 4th round (87th overall) in 1998.

Alexei Ponikarovsky Career Stats

Year Team League GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh%
2007-08 Toronto NHL 15 6 4 10 +8 12 41 14.63
2006-07 Toronto NHL 71 21 24 45 +8 63 198 10.61
2005-06 Toronto NHL 81 21 17 38 +15 68 157 13.38
2004-05 Khimik Voskresensk Rus 19 1 5 6 +4 16 - -
2003-04 Toronto NHL 73 9 19 28 +14 44 110 8.18
2002-03 Toronto NHL 13 0 3 3 +4 11 13 0.00
2002-03 St. John’s AHL 63 24 22 46 +18 68 162 14.81
2001-02 Toronto NHL 8 2 0 2 +2 0 8 25.00
2001-02 St. John’s AHL 72 21 27 48 +4 74 164 12.80
2001-02 Team Ukraine Olympic 4 1 1 2 0 6 5 20.00
2000-01 Toronto NHL 22 1 3 4 -1 14 21 4.76
2000-01 St. John’s AHL 49 12 24 36 +11 44 126 9.52
1999-00 Dynamo Moscow Rus 19 1 0 1 - 8 - -
1998-99 Soviet Wings Rus 13 2 1 3 - 2 - -
1998-99 Dynamo Moscow Rus - - - - - - - -
1997-98 Dynamo Moscow Rus2 24 1 2 3 - 30 - -
1996-97 Dynamo Moscow Rus Jr. 60 12 15 27 - 30 - -
1996-97 Dynamo Moscow Rus3 2 0 0 0 - 2 - -
1995-96 Dynamo Moscow Rus Jr. 70 14 10 24 - 20 - -
  Total NHL 283 60 70 130 +50 212 548 10.95
  Total AHL 184 57 73 130 +33 186 452 12.61
  Total Rus 51 4 6 10 - 26 - -
  Total Rus2 24 1 2 3 - 30 - -
  Total Rus Jr. 130 26 25 51 - 50 - -
  Total Rus3 2 0 0 0 - 2 - -

Alexei Ponikarovsky Playoff Stats

Year Team League GP G A Pts +/- PIM Shots Sh%
2006-07 Toronto NHL - - - - - - - -
2005-06 Toronto NHL - - - - - - - -
2004-05 Khimik Voskresensk Rus - - - - - - - -
2003-04 Toronto NHL 13 1 3 4 -1 8 23 4.35
2002-03 Toronto NHL - - - - - - - -
2002-03 St. John’s AHL - - - - - - - -
2001-02 Toronto NHL 10 0 0 0 0 4 7 0.00
2001-02 St. John’s AHL 5 2 1 3 +4 8 12 16.67
2000-01 Toronto NHL - - - - - - - -
2000-01 St. John’s AHL 4 0 0 0 -2 4 9 0.00
1999-00 Dynamo Moscow Rus 1 0 0 0 - 0 - -
1998-99 Dynamo Moscow Rus 3 0 0 0 - 2 - -
1998-99 Soviet Wings Rus - - - - - - - -
1997-98 Dynamo Moscow Rus2 - - - - - - - -
1996-97 Dynamo Moscow Rus3 - - - - - - - -
1996-97 Dynamo Moscow Rus Jr. - - - - - - - -
1995-96 Dynamo Moscow Rus Jr. - - - - - - - -
  Total NHL 23 1 3 4 -1 12 30 3.33
  Total AHL 9 2 1 3 +2 12 21 9.52
  Total Rus 4 0 0 0 - 2 - -