Alexander Mogilny, the first Soviet player to defect to the NHL, will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025 on Nov. 10. His remarkable journey from a daring escape in 1989 to a 16-season NHL career with 1,032 points highlights his pioneering role for Russian players. Teammates like Pat LaFontaine praise Mogilny as the most talented player they ever played with.
Alexander Mogilny's path to the Hockey Hall of Fame began with a bold defection from the Soviet Union during the 1989 IIHF World Championship in Stockholm. On an off day, he escaped, evading the KGB by switching hotels and using aliases, leaving his family behind without guarantees of reunion. 'It's a story and a movie in and of itself,' said Hockey Hall of Famer Pat LaFontaine. 'For Alex to do what he did, it took so much courage. He was a pioneer.'
Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the fifth round (No. 89) of the 1988 NHL Draft, Mogilny arrived in Buffalo in 1989 after three seasons with the Soviet Red Army team. His adjustment to the NHL was gradual: 43 points (15 goals, 28 assists) in 65 games in 1989-90, followed by 30 goals and 64 points in 62 games in 1990-91. Teamed with LaFontaine after a trade on Oct. 25, 1991, Mogilny exploded in 1992-93 with 76 goals and 127 points in 77 games, setting a record for most goals by a Russian-born player in a single NHL season.
LaFontaine recalled encouraging Mogilny to shoot more during practice: 'Alex, you don't shoot the puck all the time and you have a great shot... I'll guarantee you'll score 50 goals this year.' Mogilny surpassed that, reaching 76. 'Blue line to blue line, I've never seen anybody quicker,' LaFontaine said.
Mogilny's career spanned multiple teams. Traded to the Vancouver Canucks on July 8, 1995, he scored 55 goals and had 107 points in 79 games in 1995-96 alongside Pavel Bure. 'Alex was the most talented player that I ever played with... a magician,' said Trevor Linden. On March 14, 2000, he joined the New Jersey Devils, contributing to their 2000 Stanley Cup win with seven points (four goals, three assists) in 23 playoff games. 'We don't win the Cup if we don't get Alex Mogilny,' said former Devils GM Lou Lamoriello.
Signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs on July 3, 2001, Mogilny notched 79 points (33 goals, 46 assists) in 73 games in 2002-03 alongside Mats Sundin. 'Of all the players I played with, Alex was almost by far the most talented,' Sundin said. Hip issues limited him later, ending his career in 2006 with the AHL's Albany River Rats after 990 games and 473 goals.
Internationally, Mogilny won Olympic gold in 1988 and IIHF golds in 1989 for the Soviet Union. He was the first Russia-born NHL captain and All-Star participant. Eligible since 2009, his induction caps a career that shaped Russian players' NHL migration.