Topic: Alexander Semin

Alexander Valerievich Semin (Russian: Александр Валерьевич Сёмин, Aleksandr Valeryevich Syomin, Russian pronunciation: ; born March 3, 1984), is a Russian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Washington Capitals in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Semin was trained in the Traktor Chelyabinsk hockey school and made his professional debut in Russia's second-tier Russian Major League in 2001–02. After scoring 21 goals and eight assists with Chelyabinsk that season, the Washington Capitals selected Semin with their second pick, 13th overall (they selected Steve Eminger with their first pick, 12th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. Remaining in Russia for the subsequent season, he joined Lada Togliatti of the first-tier Russian Superleague (RSL) in 2002–03 and scored 10 goals and seven assists in 47 games.

Semin made his NHL debut in the 2003–04 season, scoring 10 goals and 12 assists in 52 games. However, he missed his team's flight to Pittsburgh when the Capitals closed out their season against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Semin then reported to Maine to play for the American Hockey League's Portland Pirates, where he collected 15 points in four regular season and seven playoff games.