In a move that reshapes his professional path, Russian forward Alexey Marchenko has inked a seven million ruble contract with Ak Bars Kazan for the upcoming season. The agreement, confirmed by Sports Express, keeps him under contract through the end of the 2023/2024 campaign, ensuring a full seasonal cycle with the Kazan club and placing him in a leadership role as a seasoned presence on the ice. The deal marks a meaningful chapter after a period spent largely in free agency, underscoring Marchenko’s continued value in the Kontinental Hockey League and his readiness to contribute across multiple lines.
Last season in the Kontinental Hockey League featured Marchenko skating with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. He tallied five assists over 22 appearances, a steady display of playmaking ability from the wing. His influence grew during the Gagarin Cup playoffs, where he recorded three assists in 12 games, demonstrating a knack for turning opportunities into scoring chances when the pressure was highest. Those performances reinforced his reputation as a versatile winger who reads the ice well, distributes the puck with accuracy, and creates offense in crucial moments.
Marchenko is well known for his ties to some of the sport’s most storied franchises. He has worn the uniforms of CSKA Moscow, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, contributing a blend of tenacity and skill across domestic leagues and the NHL. He has represented Russia on the international stage, scoring one goal and adding four assists in 30 appearances for the national team, a record that highlights his exposure to high-level competition and his ability to adapt to different styles of play. His career began with a late-round selection by Detroit in the 2011 NHL Draft, picked 205th overall, a moment that set the stage for a diverse journey through leagues beyond his homeland.
Beyond Marchenko, another notable figure in the Russian hockey landscape, Dmitry Voronkov, is shaping discussions around the prospects of players with international experience. Voronkov, a Columbus Blue Jackets prospect with strong ties to Russia, recently weighed in on how the evolving international pipeline affects young players as they balance duties with their national teams and pursue opportunities to impact every season. The conversation surrounding Marchenko and Voronkov reflects the reality many players face when navigating transitions between leagues, seasons, and national commitments while aiming to maximize their longevity and impact in the sport.