Dmitri Kalinin is a former professional ice hockey player from Russia who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on July 22, 1980, in Chelyabinsk, Russia, and began his hockey career playing for Traktor Chelyabinsk in the Russian Superleague.
Kalinin was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, and he made his NHL debut in the 1999-2000 season. He quickly established himself as a reliable defenseman, known for his physical play and strong defensive skills. He played for the Sabres for eight seasons, from 1999 to 2007, and was a key part of the team's defense during that time.
In 2007, Kalinin was traded to the Washington Capitals, where he played for one season before being traded again to the Phoenix Coyotes. He played for the Coyotes for two seasons, from 2008 to 2010, before returning to Russia to play for Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Throughout his NHL career, Kalinin played in 634 games, scoring 35 goals and 105 assists for a total of 140 points. He was known for his physical play, with over 500 career penalty minutes, and his ability to shut down opposing forwards. He was also a key part of the Sabres' penalty kill unit, which was one of the best in the league during his time with the team.
After returning to Russia to play in the KHL, Kalinin continued to play at a high level, helping Avangard Omsk reach the KHL finals in 2011. He played for several more seasons in the KHL before retiring from professional hockey in 2017.
Overall, Dmitri Kalinin had a successful career in professional hockey, playing for over a decade in the NHL and then continuing to play at a high level in the KHL. He was known for his physical play and strong defensive skills, and he was a key part of several successful teams throughout his career.
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