RALEIGH, N.C. - History was made Saturday on the first day of the 2004 Entry Draft at the RBC Center as Russia-born players were selected first- and second-overall.

As expected, the Washington Capitals plucked superstar-in-waiting Alexander Ovechkin of Dynamo Moscow with the top pick. Pittsburgh followed suit less than five minutes later by claiming Magnitogorsk's Evgeni Malkin with the second pick.

Another Russian, Alexander Radulov, was selected by Nashville with the 15th pick. Radulov, who played with Ovechkin at Dynamo Moscow is the younger brother of Igor Radulov, who was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks 74th overeall in the 2000 Entry Draft.

"I'm extremely proud that Russians were picked one and two," said the younger Radulov, using an interpreter to get his thoughts across. "I'm especially proud of Ovechkin, my teammate. I know him well and think that he is a good guy and a good player. I am extremely proud of all the Russians that have been picked and will be picked. I think it is a great thing."

Four more Russian-born players were selected in Saturday's second round, while another four were claimed in the third round.

For months, it had been assumed that Ovechkin, a power winger, and Malkin, a crafty center, would go one-two. Saturday, it played out exactly that way, which was the perfect scenario for both the Capitals and Ovechkin.

The Russian winger stressed again Saturday that it was important that he went No. 1, the first Russian selected first-overall since Ilya Kovalchuk became the first-ever Russian to claim that honor in 2001 when he landed in Atlanta.

"If you are second, you are second. If you are first, you are first. I always want to be first," said Ovechkin, who many believe could step right into the Capitals lineup next fall.

Capitals GM George McPhee obviously believes that to be the case as he turned down a litany of trade offers to lock down the rights to the dynamic winger, who has already earned a roster spot on the Russian national team for this summer's World Cup of Hockey.

Ross Mahoney, the Capitals' director of amateur scouting, is also extremely high on Ovechkin.

"He is a complete player," Mahoney said. "He comes to play every shift. He works hard, he has good skill, he skates well, he shows good strength for his age, his work ethic is good. There are other players who maybe do some of those things well, but he is a complete player. That's the best way to describe him."

Malkin is no slouch and in time hopes to prove he is better than his countrymate.

While a good way to describe Ovechkin, it is also an apt description of Malkin. The two players, who have only known each other for less than a year, are starting to develop a low-key, but intense, rivalry about whom is the better player while still reveling in the high profile their combined success is delivering to Russian hockey.

"I'm very proud for my country that we have two players going so high in the draft," said Malkin, also using a translator. "Ovechkin is first, but some people think I could contest with him. In the future, we will see who is the better player."

It will be an interesting battle for NHL fans to watch as it develops. As stated earlier, Ovechkin may well start his NHL career as early as next season if a transfer can be worked out with the Russian federation.

Malkin, meanwhile, believes another year in the Russian Elite League will serve his game better than immediately coming to North America. He says, however, that he has a clause included in his current contract that will allow him to leave for the NHL when he is ready.

Pittsburgh GM Craig Patrick admitted Saturday that he agreed in principle with Malkin's analysis, believing a year of quality playing time in Russia's top division will only make the young center a better player when he finally comes to North America. But, he added, that the Penguins would not hesitate to bring him over earlier if it became the prudent choice in Malkin's developmental process.

The Russians selected in the first round Saturday will soon be joining an already established cadre of young Russians taking the League by storm.

"I think the Russian guys have always been good," said Malkin. "Maybe, we are just continuing the tradition."

Last year, two Russians were taken in the first round. Nikolai Zherdev was No. 4 last year, selected by Columbus. After spending a good portion of the season in Russia, Zherdev joined the Blue Jackets later in the season and quickly emerged as an impact player. Andrei Kastsitsyn, selected 10th overall by Montreal, is considered Montreal's top prospect by many insiders.

Two years ago, Alexander Semin (13th), Denis Grebeshkov (18th) and Anton Babchuk (21st) all went in the first round. Semin has been the most spectacular of that trio so far, establishing himself as a regular in the Capitals' lineup. Babchuk played five games for Chicago this season, while Grebeshkov played four games for Los Angeles.

Ilya Kovalchuk is one of the best Russians in the game today.

In 2001, five Russians were taken in the first round, highlighted by Kovalchuk. The Atlanta Thrashers forward shared the goal-scoring title in the just-completed 2003 regular season with Columbus' Rick Nash and Calgary's Jarome Iginla. Each had 41 goals this season.

The other four players going in the first round that year were Alexander Svivtov (3rd), Stanislav Chistov (5th), Igor Knyazev (15th) and Alexander Perezhogin (25th). Svivtov and Chistov have both already appeared in NHL games. Knyazev has played the last two seasons in the American Hockey League, while Perezhogin made his debut in the AHL this season, playing for Hamilton.

For Ovechkin, he is proud to have the opportunity to be the latest banner carrier for the Russian game, joining many of the other Russians that have endeared themselves to North American fans during the past two decades.

"Russia has good hockey schools, good trainers, hockey coaches and Russia is the best, I think," he said with a wide grin.

Saturday, it was hard to argue with Ovechkin's bold assertion.