Pavel Torgayev

Pavel Viktorovich Torgayev (Павел Викторович Торгаев; born January 25, 1966) is a Russian former professional ice hockey player. He played 55 games in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames and Tampa Bay Lightning from 1995 to 1999. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1982 to 2005, was mainly spent in Russia. He was selected by the Flames in the 11th round of the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. Internationally Torgayev played for the Soviet Union national junior team and then the Russian national team at the 1994 Winter Olympics and 1995 World Championships.

Playing career
Torgaev spent 12 seasons in the Soviet League before moving to Finland for two years in 1993. After being drafted by the Flames, Torgaev came to North America, where he appeared in 41 regular season games with the Flames in 1995–96, recording six goals and ten assists in 41 games. After returning to Europe to play in Switzerland for three seasons, Torgaev once again returned to the NHL in 1999–00, Torgaev appeared in nine more games with the Flames before being claimed by Tampa Bay on waivers. After playing five more games with the Lightning, he refused an assignment to the minor leagues, and returned to Russia, where he remained until his retirement following the 2004–05 season.

Torgaev represented his nation internationally several times. He was a member of the bronze medal winning Soviet team at the 1985 World Junior Championships. Torgaev was also a member of the Russian national team at the 1994 Winter Olympics, scoring two goals as the Russians finished fourth. In 1995, he again represented Russia at the World Championships.