By Yuri Kovalev
“Andrey Kostitsyn is an important forward on our squad, so we’re happy to extend his contract. Drafted and developed by the Canadiens, Andrey is among our point leaders every year,” notes the club’s general manager, Pierre Gauthier, on the official website.
Last season, Kostitsyn, 26, occupied fifth position among the squad’s strikers, having earned 45 points (20 goals and 25 goal passes) over 81 matches during the regular championship. His total number of goals (scored during regular championships) reached 87 last season, making him the top Belarusian shooter on the NHL. He is now ahead of Vladimir Tsyplakov, who retired in 2001.
At the last World Championship in Slovakia, Kostitsyn played five matches, earning seven points and becoming the best striker on the Belarusian team.
