Alexander Pechursky

Playing career

Alexander Pechursky first played professionally in 2007-08 for Metallurg Magnitogorsk in the Russian Superleague, where he appeared in 26 games and recorded a 2.07 goals-against average. He then suited up for Russia at the 2008 IIHF World U18 Championships, putting up a 3.06 GAA and an .8854 save percentage as his team took home a silver medal. About a month later, the Pittsburgh Penguins picked him in the fifth round of the 2008 NHL entry draft, 150th overall. The following season, he started with Magnitogorsk but asked for his release and moved to the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League in December 2009. On January 16, 2010, with Marc-Andre Fleury and Brent Johnson both injured, Pechursky signed an amateur tryout with the Penguins and backed up John Curry against the Vancouver Canucks. After Curry let in five goals, Pechursky came on in relief, becoming the first Russian goalie to play for Pittsburgh. He played the final 35 minutes and 31 seconds, stopping 12 of 13 shots, and was named the game’s third star. He began the 2010-11 season with a 2-0-1 record for Tri-City but was waived on October 14, 2010, because the WHL limits overage players. On November 12, 2010, he signed with the Mississippi RiverKings of the Central Hockey League. He then inked a professional tryout deal with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on January 25, 2011, but never played for them and was let go on January 31, 2011, to rejoin the RiverKings. On June 6, 2011, Pechursky went back to Russia, signing again with Metallurg Magnitogorsk.