Monday, March 22, 2010

Eastern Conference Eye Candy: Alexei Ponikarovsky (Pittsburgh Penguins)

This guy is quickly becoming another one of my favorites, so I thought other Pens fans would enjoy learning more about him!! Look at him ... he's GORGEOUS!!! I swear a secret prerequisite for acquiring players for the Pens organization is that they be good-looking!!! Kena is just happy that they're recruiting more blondes (LMAO!)!!! ; P

HOCKEY FACTOR

Alexei is a left-winger that shoots left.

His hockey career began long before the NHL in the Russian Superleague (RSL). It began for Dynamo's farm teams, Dynamo 2 and Dynamo Jr. (1995-1999) then continued for the main club when they won the Russian Superleague Championship in the 1999-2000 season. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs (87th overall).

He made his NHL debut with the Leafs during the 2000-2001 season and would split the next two seasons with them and their AHL affiliate until he remained with them in the 2003-2004 season.

During the NHL lock-out, he signed as a free agent with the Khimik Moscow Oblast (RSL).

At the end of the 2006-2007, the Leafs signed Poni to a 3-year extension worth $6.315 million then evetually traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Luca Caputi and Martin Skoula back on
March 6, 2010. He scored his first goal as a Penguin during his first game with them against the Dallas Stars and has since recorded six points (2 G, 4 A) in nine games.

Other noteable stats: recorded his first multi-point game (two assists) with the Penguins on March 20th; reached the 20-goal plateau for the fourth time in his career and ranked second on the Leafs with 19 goals and tied with 41 points (19 G, 22 A).

HOTNESS FACTOR
Alexei has a few nicknames that he goes by ... "Poni," "the Ukraine Train," "Poni Express," are among them. He's a perfect fit to be on a line with Geno since he's built similarly to him with a large frame at 6'4 and 220 pounds (a pretty big boy!)!!

Back in 2007 (June 7th), Poni became a Canadian citizen by pledging an oath of allegiance at a ceremony that took place in Etobicoke, Ontario. His wife, Inna, his daughter (Jessica), and two sons (Alex and Max) are already Canadian citizens. Prior to signing with Pittsburgh, they resided in Toronto.

He wears the number 23 because two of his grandparents as well as his wife were all born on the 23rd.

He has his own webpage at poni23.com.

14 comments:

Shana said...

Woo Hoo! Poni-Poni! :)

Shana said...

Oh and his arms are to friggin die for! :P

Kylie @ Faux Hawks and Follies said...

I was at practice on Friday and he is extremely nice. He signed autographs for everyone that wanted one, and even asked the last person to make sure he had indeed gotten to everyone.

He's even more beautiful in person, if that's possible.

Maureen said...

MMMMMMM... Now that's the way to start a Monday Stephanie!

I was really happy when the Pens got Poni. Between his playing skills and his eye-candy status, he's quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

Char said...

yayy poni! as much as i will miss luca(and will still name my next puppy after him) i have to say i like poni!

EHisCDN said...

He was one of my favourite Leafs and now I guess a favourite Penguin.

I didn't know he became a Canadian citizen! That's pretty cool.

Shana said...

One more..The first Poni I wanted to ride since I was like 8 years old.. lol *Giggle*

MyDearestObsession said...

Haha, my mum (who doesn't follow hockey as obsessively as I do) has definitely been hit by the Ukraine Train. She thinks he looks like Wesley from "The Princess Bride". =] I'm not much into blonds, myself; I prefer the darker guys, like Kris Letang, or the little baby Russian goalie, but I totally see where she's coming from.

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure if it is the fact that I desperately hate the Leafs, or that Black and Gold just makes the players look so much hotter than blue and white but, how did I not notice what a babe he was before? I like to think that I have a pretty good grasp of players around the league and their varying hotness levels and when I saw that we got Poni and then watched a few trade day things I was shocked because he is smokin'. Great pick up by Shero!

Stephanie said...

You girls make me laugh ... I have to say my FAV is from @Shana ... "the first Poni I wanted to ride since I was like 8 years old!" WELL SAID!!! ; P

@Kylie ... I think being more beautiful in person is definitely possible ... I'll have to take note of that at the next game I go to!!! BTW ... LOVE your profile pic!!! ; )

@MyDearestObsession ... I think I've also been hit by the "Ukraine Train" myself (also a good one!)!!

THANKS for brightening up my day with the comments, ladies ... keep 'em coming!!!

: )

Kiki_isTHEbunny said...

when I went to the Stars game and saw him perfectly up close...had seats behind the Stars' players...and noticed how hot he was I was like damn...we need to know more about him. And I have to agree, the Pens Organization does seem to find all the hotties to bring to Pitt.

Anonymous said...

ok all I could think of was (well besides the hotness all up in there) was PONI BOY!!!! Ya know like from the outsiders? lol sorry I know I'm just a little crazy :D

EHisCDN said...

@ xStevieraex

I love the outsiders! Although I recently just read it and felt more like Darry.

Stephanie said...

@xstevieraex -- that's what my husband says everytime I say something about "Poni!" ; )