"Sergei is a high-end offensive defenseman who can quarterback a power play and help generate offense from the blue line," Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill said. "Sergei has had an impressive NHL career and has been a big contributor to Ottawa's offense over the last three seasons. We are excited to see him continue his career here in Dallas the next two years."
The 6-foot-2, 206-pound blueliner from Chelyabinsk, Russia spent the last three seasons with the Ottawa Senators, appearing in 186 games and posting 91 points (15G-76A) with 101 penalty minutes. Amongst NHL defensemen in 2012-13, Gonchar was tied for fifth in assists (24) and shared 12th in points (27). He led Ottawa defensemen in scoring and ranked second on the team with 27 points (3G-24A) and first on the club in total assists. Gonchar, 39, ranks first in points (775), assists (558) and second in games played (1,177) among active NHL defensemen. He also ranks first in postseason points (90), assists (68) and tied for first in games played (135) amongst active defensemen. Gonchar notched his 772nd career point on April 16, 2013 against the Carolina Hurricanes to surpass former Dallas Stars defenseman Sergei Zubov for the all-time points lead amongst Russian defensemen. Originally selected in the first round (14th overall) in the 1992 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals, Gonchar has skated for four different teams (Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh, Ottawa) over the course of his 18 seasons in the NHL and won a Stanley Cup in 2009 with the Penguins. He has appeared in four All-Star Games (2001, 2002, 2003, 2008) and was named to the NHL All-Star Second Team in 2001 and 2003.
Gonchar led Team Russia to a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympic Games in Nagano and a bronze medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He also helped Russia to a bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships and a silver medal in 2010.
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