Sergei Gonchar is a Russian defenseman on the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Gonchar played for Traktor Chelyabinsk and Dynamo Moscow in the Russian SuperLeague before being drafted by the Washington Capitals. Gonchar played with Washington from 1995 being traded to Boston at the end of the 2004 season. Gonchar is known mostly for his offensive production, as he led the league’s defensemen in scoring every season from 2001-2004.

He returned to play in Russia during the lockout, and skated with current teammates Evgeny Malkin and Petr Sykora for Metallurg Magnitogorsk. Upon returning to the NHL, he signed with the Penguins where he has become a veteran leader for the young squad. He is currently one of the assistant captains, and led the Penguins in average ice time this season. He has racked up 615 points, and has scored at least 50 points in each of the last seven seasons.

Gonchar has played for Team Russia seven times. He won silver at Nagano in 1998, and bronze in 2002, as well as playing in two World Cups, two world championships and the 1997 World Junior Championships.