montrealgazette.com
In 1999 Russia was a chaotic place between communism and Putin’s rise, where even basic survival was a struggle. Amidst this, the author encountered three young hockey talents: Maxim Afinogenov, Nik Antropov, and Andrei Markov. While all had NHL careers, it was Markov, drafted late by the Canadiens, who became a defensive standout. His quiet demeanor contrasted with his exceptional skill. After 16 seasons, the Canadiens didn’t re-sign him for the requested two years. Despite playing 990 games, Markov never reached 1,000, a fact overshadowed by recent appreciation for his talent, and the presence of future star Ivan Demidov.
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