Defender of the St. Petersburg SKA Zubarev Andrew: the failed star of the NHL

In the NHL teams there are a lot of Russian players regularly performing in the most prestigious league of the world. But not all hockey players managed to build a career abroad. One of those who did not have a game in the NHL, Zubarev Andrew, who only one season later returned to Russia, where he continues his successful performance, including for the national team.

Hockey training in Ufa

Zubarev Andrey Sergeevich was born on March 3, 1987 in Ufa. At the age of 6, the parents gave the boy, who dreams of becoming a professional hockey player, to the sports section at the local club "Salavat Yulaev", where the Russian made his first steps on the ice. Speaking for the youth squad, in 2003 Andrey got to the main team's clip. Two years spent in the basis of "Salavat", did not allow to appear regularly on the Super League ice, and Zubarev changed the team in the off-season.

Moving to Kazan and Mytishchi

New club Zubarev Andrew chose the Kazan "Ak Bars". The defender successfully blended into the "dragons" and in the first year became the champion of Russia, gaining 12 points for 40 matches of the regular championship. The next season did not work out for a talented Russian - because of problems with the game in the defense and lack of effectiveness, Andrei lost his place in the base, but again found himself on the podium at the end of the championship, this time with "silver". Having played one more season for "Ak Bars", in 2008 Zubarev moved to another club of the KHL, Mytishchi "Atlant".

The first year in the Moscow Region club started for the defender not in the best way, but, having in due course joined the team, Andrei Zubarev, the hockey player who has an active victory in the championship, became one of the key players of "Atlanta" in winning the 5th place in the conference and getting out In the semi-finals of the playoff round. In 2009, the Russian could seriously add to the game, in particular, in its performance, and, despite not the best performance of the club, was seen by the American clubs.

Trying to play over the ocean

As a result, in 2010 Andrei Zubarev moved overseas, where he spent the first season as part of the Chicago Wolves, in the AHL. There, the Russian has proved himself well, for 51 meetings, gaining 13 points and moved to the league, which has long dreamed of - the National Hockey League. There the young defender took "Atlanta Thrashers", for which Zubarev had only 4 matches, after which he was forced to return to his homeland.

Homecoming

In Russia, a long time to look for a new job did not have to - Zubarev immediately accepted the offer of the former club, "Atlanta". The team with great ambitions, who played in the Gagarin Cup final, hoped to consolidate the success, and an experienced defender should help in this. But according to the results of the championship the Muscovites became only 9th.

Nevertheless, Zubarev remained in demand on the hockey market and, despite a solid place in the start of "Atlanta", he changed the club to his native "Salavat Yulaev". Returning to the Ufa team proved to be the right decision for the player - with the return of high results came the invitation to the national team, in which Andrey became the world champion in 2014, having played in 6 meetings. In the same year, "Salavat" became the finalist of the playoffs of the Eastern Conference, having previously won the second place in the Chernyshev Division. However, the year 2015 was unsuccessful for Ufimtsev, and Andrey Zubarev left the team.

The game for SKA

New club defender was St. Petersburg SKA - the current holder of the Gagarin Cup. In the championship, Andrew poured in fairly quickly, in the first season, having played in 40 meetings. The championship 2016/17 is still developing for the team from St. Petersburg quite successfully - the club is leading in the Western Conference, ahead of its "army" competitor, CSKA, by three points, and is considered one of the favorites in the fight for the Gagarin Cup.

Personal life

Most athletes are humble people who rarely show their way of life and customs. Among them is Zubarev Andrey, a hockey player whose personal life is practically unknown. In one of his interviews, the Russian opened the veil of secrecy, telling about his wife Julia, whom he met while playing for Ak Bars. March 10, 2015 his wife gave Andrei a gift in the form of a daughter's birth, in honor of which the hockey player and chose a number for a sweater - 28.