Alumni Corner: Alexei Yashin

Alexei Yashin has been a busy man since his days with the New York Islanders.
He's dabbled in management, broadcasting and has spent a majority of his time in Russia, so it's not a surprise that he's seldom seen - in New York anyways. When he does think about his NHL career, his five seasons with the Islanders - 2001-07 - bring back good memories.
"In my life, the Islanders were a huge experience. It was a team I loved to play for," Yashin said at the team's alumni weekend in November. "Every season, every game was a special challenge. It's a big part your life. Every time you step on the ice, I loved to play for the Islanders and tried to bring my best for the fans."

Yashin notched 290 points (119G, 171A) in 346 games for the Islanders and captained the team from 2005-07. He helped the Isles get to the playoffs in four of his five seasons with the team and if you ask him, those are his favorite memories.
"The series against Toronto was one of the best series I ever played in," Yashin said. "It was a very tough series and it's too bad we lost in game seven in Toronto. It was really unbelievable to see how the Coliseum reacted. It was probably one of the best memories."

Yashin recorded seven points (3G, 4A) in the seven-game slugfest vs Toronto, which is often remembered for its brutal physical play, as well as Shawn Bates' penalty shot in game four. When Yashin thinks back on the series, the sound of the Coliseum after Bates' goal is what comes roaring back.
"The roof] almost collapsed," Yashin said.
After he and the team parted ways in 2007, Yashin continued his playing career in the KHL until hanging up his skates in 2012. Since then, he's enjoyed retirement, taking on whatever interesting opportunities or challenges come his way.
Yashin served as the General Manager for the Russian women's national team from 2012-14, capturing a bronze medal at the 2013 World Hockey Championships.
***[ALUMNI CORNER: RICHARD PARK*
"That was a big deal because Team USA and Canada in women's hockey are way above everybody else," Yashin said. "We could really fight for the bronze and we did it, it was a big success for my team. The women's hockey to me was the most exciting hockey in the [Sochi] Olympics. The girls take it to another level of competition."
Yashin is also on the board of a consulting group that advises some KHL clubs and runs a hockey clinics for kids and master classes on the ice rink in Red Square.
He's done a little broadcasting as well. His knowledge of the Russian hockey came in handy when CBC was looking for a new voice during the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. Yashin, who had done a little broadcasting in Russia as well, said it was a great experience, but retirement is all about keeping his options open.
"I don't want to something particular. It's more like whatever exciting things come up," Yashin said. "I want to enjoy the experience of retirement after the NHL to do whatever you want."

That included coming back to the Islanders alumni weekend in early November, a chance to catch up with some old teammates and reminisce and get to know some of the older Islanders like Bryan Trottier and Clark Gillies.
Of his favorite teammates, Yashin said there are too many to count, listing off the likes of Mariusz Czerkawski, Oleg Kvahsa, Jason Blake and a handful more. He made special mention of Eric Cairns, the former tough guy and now the Islanders Director of Player Development.
"Without him I would have gotten beat up every game," Yashin said with a laugh.
The one person he wasn't able to see was late Islanders owner Charles B. Wang, who passed away in October. The trip back to New York caused Yashin to reflect on his relationship with Wang with whom he had a special bond.
ALUMNI CORNER: ADRIAN AUCOIN
"I had a special relationship and connection with Charles Wang," Yashin said. "He was a person who was more of a friend. In my career I tried to not let him down because he put a lot of faith in the team and I tried to do my best to help Islanders shine and make him happy."
"I hope his dream is alive so finally the Islanders will move back to Long Island," Yashin added.
Yashin was applauded by the fans when introduced during the first intermission at Isles alumni night, and looked to appreciate it, waving back with a smile on his face. Regardless of where Yashin's post-playing career has taken him, hockey has remained a part of his life - and that means the Islanders have, too.