Name: Andrei Kostitsyn
Position: Wing
Shoots: Left
Height: 6’0
Weight: 189
Birthdate: 2-3-85
Hometown: Novopolosk, Belarus
Acquired: 2003 NHL Draft, 1st round (10th)
Strengths
Skating, speed, and offensive abilities are his main assets. Has good acceleration and at times plays a chippy game. Heavy shot and quick release, plus good on ice vision make him a threat to score anywhere inside the blueline. Is a big game player that wants the puck on his stick and has a way of getting it when he doesn’t have it.
Weaknesses
Defensive game needs improvement. Lack of strength and size may cause him problems. Injuries and health issues are somewhat of a concern.
Stats
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
| 2000 | Belarus | U-18 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -13 | 4 |
| 2001 | Belarus | U-20 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 2 |
| Belarus | U-20 d1 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 8 | |
| 2002 | Belarus | U-18 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 10 | -5 | 18 |
| Belarus | U-20 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | -5 | 0 | |
| 2002-03 | CSKA | Super L | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 | 2 |
| CSKA | High L | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| CSKA-2 | First L | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 25 | ||
| Belarus | U-20 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -9 | 0 | |
| Belarus | U-18 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 15 | -3 | 28 | |
| 2003-04 | CSKA | RHL Div 1 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| CSKA | Div 2 | 27 | 25 | 13 | 38 | 28 | ||
| Belarus | EIHC | 3 | 2 | 4 | 6 | |||
| Belarus | WJC-1B | 5 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 5 | 12 | |
| Belarus | WC | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2004-05 | Hamilton | AHL | 66 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 6 | 24 |
| Playoffs | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | +/- | PIM |
| 2005 | Hamilton | AHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1 | 0 |
HW Updates, by Dan Linn
Canadiens Mid-season Top 20 – 1. Andrei Kostitsyn- F. (2nd) Kostitsyn moves up one spot from second to first, as he is having a great season in the Russian junior league. Taken in the recent draft at tenth overall, the Habs have found a pure offensive talent, which is why he is the new #1 prospect in the Canadiens organization. After taking part in his impressive fourth World Juniors tournament, he put up some impressive numbers against the weaker competition. Spending time between the mens league with CSKA, where he is gaining a wealth of knowledge under the famous Russian coach, and at times he will play for the junior team, CSKA-2 where he is scoring close to a goal a game on average against players his age. Hopefully GM Bob Gainey can get the young star from Belarus to sign a contract this summer, so fans can get a chance to see the high flyer in action.
2004 World Junior Championship at Helsinki – Drafted in 2003, 1st round, 10th overall, Kastsistyn made his fourth trip to the World Juniors, as his team was regulated to the Division I Group B after being knocked out of last years WJC. Playing against some lesser talented team, Kostitsyn was able to rack up the points, as he finished third overall in scoring in the tournament, behind two of his teammates. Belarus was able to win their group, meaning they will be playing in the Championship tournament next year, where Kostitsyn would be eligible to play in an astounding fifth appearance.
February 2004 – Since the World Juniors, Kostitsyn has been playing for CSKA-2 of the junior league, and he has been on a hot scoring pace lately, as he is close to scoring a goal a game. He recently took part in the Euro Ice Hockey Challenge where he play in 3 games and was able to record six points with two goals and four assists. From the sound of the positive reports from Habs management, there will be a major emphasis on signing the tenth overall pick at some point this summer if possible, which would be great for fans to get to see him in action in North America.
January 2004 – In his return from the World Juniors, Kostitsyn joined CSKA, and was able to dress in four games, but was unable to produce on offense, so he has been sent down to CSKA-2, where he picked up three points in his first game back, as he has been very productive in the 1st league with close to a goal a game average.
December 2003 – After being sent back down, to work on his consistency, Kostitsyn was able to rack up the points, getting six points in four games. But he has not played for CSKA or CSKA-2 recently, and it’s been tough trying to find out why this is.
November 2003 – After starting in the RSL, then being sent down and producing very well, he was called up to the RSL and hasn’t be sent back since. He is currently playing on the 4th line for CSKA, with limited ice time, under what is known as a very strict coach. Teammate Zherdev has also had problems getting ice time, as he has been benched at times, so it’s clear ice time will be hard to come by for the young Belarus star.
October 2003 – Has been up, down, and is now back up but has yet to dress for CSKA in his 2nd stint. Hopefully Kostitsyn can get a few games in with the big club, or be sent back down to the junior club, as he needs to play and play often, no matter what league it may be.
October 2003 – Special Report – (‘03, 1st round 10th)LW. Not the best start for the much hyped young Belarus star. Kostitsyn has appeared in only 2 games with CSKA in the RSL, and after recording an assist on the game wining goal, he has been sent down to the farm team CSKA-2 for now. It’s unknown for how long he will be down there, but this could be good for him, as it should get him a lot of playing time, and those long cold bus rides may help him to chose to play in North America next season.
September 2003 – Not having the kind of start fans would hope for, since he has seen little action so far. Kastisitsyn has played on two games so far, getting one assist on the game winning goal. It appears he has since been sent down to the farm club CSKA-2 where he picked up one goal and one assist so far. Hopefully more news will be available as the season goes on.