Senators by the Numbers: #53

Ilya Zubov C 2007-2008, 2008-2009

Born in Chelyabinsk, Soviet Union in 1987, Zubov was drafted 98^th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2005. He was drafted with the pick Ottawa had acquired from St. Louis for goaltender Patrick Lalime. He spent his teen years playing in the Russian lower leagues for Traktor Chelyabinsk and represented Russia at the World Under-18 tournament in 2005 and the World Juniors in 2006 and 2007 (winning silver twice). He made the move to North America in 2007, but did not make the Senators out of training camp. Instead, he was assigned to Binghamton. He made his NHL debut in 2007-08, playing just one game for Ottawa before being returned to the AHL. He was again assigned to Bingo to start the 2008-09 season, but was recalled during the campaign. Assigned to the AHL for a third time to start the season in 2009-10, Zubov was disappointed and asked for a trade. Ultimately, he was loaned to his former Russian team Salavat Yulaev Ufa. He has played for CSKA Moscow since 2009-10.