Former NHLer Alex Kovalev named head coach of KHL’s Kunlun Red Star

Alexei Kovalev, shown here during his time with the Montreal Canadiens in 2009. (Paul Chiasson/CP)

Alex Kovalev, a Stanley Cup winner and 19-year NHL veteran, has been named as the new head coach for the Kontinental Hockey League’s Kunlun Red Star, the team announced.

Kovalev, a native of Togliatti in the former USSR, was hired by the Red Star as an assistant coach in 2018. Kunlun joined the KHL in 2016 and has missed the playoffs the past three seasons.

During his NHL career, Kovalev had stops with the New York Rangers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers. He recorded 1,029 points and 1,304 penalty minutes in 1,316 games and won the Cup with the Rangers in 1994.

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