Alexei Gusarov

Alexei Vasilievich Gusarov (Алексей Васильевич Гусаров) (born July 8, 1964) is a Russian former ice hockey defenceman. He played for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, New York Rangers and St. Louis Blues. Gusarov and Valeri Kamensky were the first Russian-born players to achieve the Triple Gold Club, along with being one of the first 10 members in the Triple Gold Club. He reached this level while with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996.

Playing career
Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), Gusarov was a veteran of the Soviet national team before playing in the NHL. He won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996. He is a member of the Triple Gold Club, having won the 1989 IIHF World Championship, the 1996 Stanley Cup, and the Olympic gold medal in 1988.

Standing 6'2" and weighing in at 183 lb (83 kg), Gusarov was selected 213th overall by Quebec Nordiques in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. Gusarov is considered to be one of the finest Russian defensemen to play in the NHL.

Retirement
After his playing career ended, Gusarov retired to Colorado, where he started coaching the AAA hockey club Evolution. He returned to Russia in 2011, first serving as an assistant general manager for SKA Saint Petersburg before moving to HC Sochi of the KHL as an assistant coach from 2014 to 2017.

Gusarov returned to Colorado, and accepted a role in scouting for the Avalanche from the 2018–19 season.

Transactions

 * June 21, 1995 – Rights transferred from the Quebec Nordiques to the Colorado Avalanche after Quebec's relocation
 * December 28, 2000 – Traded by the Colorado Avalanche to the New York Rangers in exchange for the Ranger 5th round draft choice in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft (Frantisek Skladany)
 * March 5, 2001 – Traded by the New York Rangers to the St. Louis Blues in exchange for Peter Smrek