A defender scoring points on offense - Rising Star: Sergei Gonchar - Sergei Gonchar of the Washington Capitals - Brief Article

Hockey Digest, March, 2002 by Tom Worgo

IF THE NHL HAD A "TRAINING camp holdout" statistical category, the Washington Capitals Sergei Gonchar would surely be among the all-time leaders. The 27-year-old defenseman has missed all or part of camp during four of his eight seasons.

This year, though, he didn't miss any time. The result? Easily the best start of his career.

Gonchar, who made his first trip to the All-Star Game in 2001 led all NHL defenseman in scoring through the first three months of the season. Not a bad accomplishment for a player with a reputation as a poor starter.

Gonchar, the Capitals first-round pick in the 1992 draft (14th overall), says he never worries about being slow out of the gate. "I don't think about it. Sometimes I have been playing the same, but not putting as many points up on the board."

Gonchar, who excels on the power play with his rocket shot and outstanding puck-handling ability, figures to be a major contributor in the Olympics. He was one of the first eight players selected to Russia's team.

The 6'2", 208-pound blueliner made an impact four years ago as his country captured a silver medal team in Nagano. He had two assists and saw significant ice time in every game.

The Olympics seem to mean more to Gonchar than most NHL players. Russia's gold-medal tradition is the reason.

"When I was growing up, I never thought about the All-Star Game or the Stanley Cup Finals," says Gonchar, the first Russian defenseman to score more than 20 goals in a season. "The main thing was to play in the Olympics. At the time, it was my No. 1 dream. Then you start thinking about the Stanley Cup. They are on the same page now."

Even with his All-Star appearance and Olympic status, does Gonchar get the respect he deserves as a player?

"A lot of people don't know about him," Capitals forward Peter Bondra says. "A lot of people talk about Rob Blake, Niklas Lidstrom, and Chris Pronger. Nobody mentions Gonchar."

Gonchar figures to get more consideration for the Norris Trophy if he improves on his career best 38 assists and 57 points from last season. That came after signing a four-year, $14 million in October of 2000.

What hasn't helped his chances is the fact that the Capitals haven't won a playoff series since 1998. "I don't know if he has gotten enough votes," Washington general manager George McPhee says. "He led the league in goals by a defenseman in the last three years. He continues to be even more dangerous. At some point he should get a lot of votes."

Washington coach Ron Wilson agrees. "He is getting closer to putting himself into [Norris consideration]," he says. "He still needs to get the job done better defensively. He is certainly more aware of that in some situations. He works on his defense every day to be better. Last year, he was plus-12. The year before plus-26."

Gonchar's defensive improvement has been noticeable, though he still finds himself on the bench at the end of games and when the Capitals kill penalties.

"He has matured and paid more attention to his defense," McPhee says. "He came into this league as a gifted offensive player. You can't teach those things. What you can teach is how to play well defensively and he has learned how to do that through the process of what the coaches have told him just playing in the league."

Gonchar, however, will continue to be recognized for his offense. He has been the quarterback on the power play for years. This season he's playing with Adam Oates, Jaromir Jagr and Bondra.

"Probably more than half of his points come from the power play," Wilson says. "That is in a skill in itself, to be able to control the power play."

Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig has been playing with Gonchar since 1995 and he still can figure his shot out. "He has a very deceptive shot," Kolzig says. "It's quicker and harder than it looks. He does a great job of coming in the back door on the power play and getting the pass from the forward and getting that quick shot past a goalie's blocker or glove."

Playing in last year's All-Star Game gave Gonchar more confidence than ever and he carried that into this season. "He belongs there," Bondra says. "He is an elite defenseman. He should be a perennial All-Star defenseman. He has all the tools."