Mikhail Grabovski is a former professional ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on January 31, 1984, in Potsdam, East Germany, and grew up in Belarus. Grabovski began his hockey career in Belarus, playing for the Yunost Minsk junior team before moving to North America to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).
Grabovski was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the fifth round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Canadiens in the 2006-2007 season, playing in 24 games and scoring three goals and six assists. He spent the next two seasons with the Canadiens, playing in a total of 107 games and scoring 18 goals and 20 assists.
In July 2010, Grabovski signed a three-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He had a breakout season in 2011-2012, scoring 23 goals and 28 assists in 74 games. He followed that up with another strong season in 2012-2013, scoring nine goals and seven assists in 48 games.
After his contract with the Maple Leafs expired, Grabovski signed a one-year deal with the Washington Capitals in August 2013. He played in 58 games for the Capitals, scoring 13 goals and 22 assists. He then signed a four-year contract with the New York Islanders in July 2014. He played in 51 games for the Islanders in the 2014-2015 season, scoring nine goals and 10 assists.
Grabovski's career was cut short due to injuries. He suffered a concussion in March 2016 and was unable to play for the remainder of the season. He was then placed on waivers by the Islanders in September 2016 and was eventually bought out of his contract. He attempted to make a comeback in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) but was unable to secure a contract.
Throughout his NHL career, Grabovski was known for his speed and offensive abilities. He scored a total of 107 goals and 160 assists in 534 NHL games. He also represented Belarus in international competition, playing in the 2006 Winter Olympics and several World Championships.
Off the ice, Grabovski has been involved in several charitable endeavors. He has supported organizations such as the Children's Wish Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society. He has also been involved in youth hockey programs in Belarus and Canada.
In conclusion, Mikhail Grabovski had a successful NHL career, playing for four different teams over the course of a decade. He was known for his speed and offensive abilities and was a valuable contributor to each team he played for. Despite his career being cut short due to injuries, he remains a respected figure in the hockey community.
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