Topic: Alexei Zhitnik

Alexei Nikolayevich Zhitnik (Ukrainian: Олексій Миколайович Житник, Russian: Алексей Николаевич Житник Russian pronunciation:  born October 10, 1972) is a Ukrainian-born ice hockey defenceman currently playing for Dynamo Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Zhitnik has played for five different National Hockey League (NHL) teams in his career, and has represented the Soviet Union, CIS, and Russia internationally.

Zhitnik was drafted 81st overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft after playing for Sokil Kyiv in the Russian Super League for two years. After another year, he came to the NHL for the 1992–93 NHL season.

He made his NHL debut on October 6, 1992 against the Calgary Flames and scored his first goal nine nights later, also against Calgary. In his rookie season with the Kings, he finished second among rookie defenceman in points with 48. He was an important part of the Kings' playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final, where they lost to the Montreal Canadiens.