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.