Alexei Zhitnik holds the distinction of being the first defenseman born in the former Soviet Union to play over 1,000 Games in the NHL.  Early in his career Zhitnik was a member of the famed Red Army and he would join his “comrades” to North America.  Zhitnik would go to two All-Star games and internationally would help the Unified Team win the Gold Medal at the Olympics in 1992.  He would win a Silver Medal with Russia in 1998.