Darius Kasparaitis (born October 16, 1972) is an ice hockey defenseman, also known by the nickname "Caspar the Unfriendly Ghost ".

Playing career

Kasparaitis was born in Elektrenai , Lithuania. He left Lithuania for Russia as a teenager to play ice hockey at a higher level and now plays for Russia in international competitions. Kasparaitis played his first game in Dynamo Moscow, one of leading teams in Soviet ice hockey league at that time at the age of 16, in the 1988-89 season. He was drafted by New York Islanders with #5 pick in the first round of 1992 NHL Entry Draft. Darius has played for Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Colorado Avalanche and New York Rangers. Kasparaitis is known for physical play and has lead his teams in hits several times, including his rookie season, the 1992-93 NHL Season with Islanders.

Awards

• All-Star Team, European Junior Championship, 1990
• Best Defenseman, World Junior Championship, 1992

External link

• Kasparaitis stats