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Kalinin, Dmitri

NHL, the National Hockey League is a premier professional North American Sports League played in indoor stadiums. It’s divided into two conferences, each comprising of three divisions of ice hockey teams.

Dmitri Kalinin was born July 22, 1980 in Cheljabinsk, U.S.S.R. now known as Russia. He is an ice hockey player currently playing in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres. Defenseman Kalinin was drafted by the Sabres 18th overall in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He shoots left and his height is 6 foot 3 inch and weight is 206 lbs. Kalinin scored 21 points for the Americans while playing a major role in their trip to the AHL, the American Hockey League final that year. Kalinin was named to the All-Rookie and All-Star Teams for his outstanding efforts.

Prior to making his professional debut in 1998-1999, Kalinin suited up for the QMJHL's, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League Moncton Wildcats, while seeing limited action with the Sabres AHL affiliate in Rochester. The 1999-2000 season was Kalinin's first full professional season, and though he made his NHL debut during a four game stretch with Buffalo, the rest of that campaign was spent with the Rochester. After his break out season in the AHL, the Sabres felt that there was little more he could prove at that level and Kalinin became a full-time NHLer for the 2000-2001 season. He spent much of that rookie year paired with veteran defenseman James Patrick, who made the flattering comparison to Brian Leetch, whom he had played with in New York.

Kalinin played 79 games with the Sabres and managed four goals and 22 points, then made his playoff debut that spring when he played 13 more contests and contributed two assists. Though a hand injury sidelined him for an extended period, Kalinin continued to impress the Sabres brass during the 2001-02 seasons. He managed 13 points in 58 games with the Sabres, and though they failed to qualify for the post season, their loss was Russia's gain as Kalinin joined them for the 2002 World Championships and played a key role for them on the blueline. On the international scene, Kalinin is a four-time member of Russia's World Championship team 2002-2005 and represented Russia at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

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