MONTREAL – When Alexei Emelin left Russia in 2011 to come to North America seven years after first being drafted by the Canadiens, his arrival was preceded by his reputation as a defenseman with a devastating shoulder.
And, he’s lived up to his billing.
Emelin’s hits have made him a highlight-reel regular over the years, even spawning the #EmelinBoom hashtag which seems to trend every time the Russian rearguard deals another one of his punishing blows.
But in his fourth season on this side of the Atlantic, at 29 years of age, the bruising blueliner decided to fine-tune his game with a little finesse.