Anton Volchenkov
A hard-nosed NHL defenseman known for sacrificing his body, blocking shots with a fearless, physical style that defined his role for over a decade.
Born 1982 (age 44)·Russian ice hockey player·Birthday: February 25·Millennials
Biography
Anton Volchenkov carved out an eleven-year NHL career not with flashy goals, but with a willingness to absorb punishment. The Russian defenseman, drafted in the first round in 2000, became synonymous with the 'shot-blocker' archetype. His game was built on positioning, strength, and a sheer disregard for personal safety, often throwing himself in front of blistering slap shots. He found his identity with the Ottawa Senators, where his defensive partnership was crucial to the team's success in the mid-2000s, including a run to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final. Later stints with the New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators saw him continue his rugged, stay-at-home role. While his offensive numbers were modest, coaches valued him as a specialist who could shut down top lines and kill penalties, making him a respected, if often bruised, fixture on his team's blue line.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anton was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anton Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Anton's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 40
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 44 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played a key defensive role for the Ottawa Senators during their run to the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals.
- Led the NHL in blocked shots during the 2006-07 season with 273.
- Represented Russia internationally, winning a silver medal at the 2000 World Junior Championships.
- Played over 650 regular-season games in the NHL as a dependable defensive defenseman.
Did You Know?
His nickname in the NHL was 'A-Train,' a reference to his last name and his physical style of play.
He was known for rarely wearing facial protection, even after a serious eye injury from a puck in 2004.
He won a Russian Superleague (now KHL) championship with CSKA Moscow in the 2002-03 season before coming to the NHL.
He finished his professional playing career with Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL.
“My job is simple: keep the puck out of our net, whatever it takes.”
