Alexei Tezikov

Alexei Pavlovich Tezikov (Russian: Алексей Павлович Тезиков; June 22, 1978 – July 16, 2020) was a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League with the Washington Capitals and Vancouver Canucks.

Originally drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1996 NHL entry draft, Tezikov was dealt at the trade deadline of the 1998–99 NHL season to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Joé Juneau. He spent a few years in the minors before being traded to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, and then was claimed on waivers by the Vancouver Canucks.

Tezikov left North America following the 2001–02 season, returning to his native Russia to play in the Russian Superleague and Kontinental Hockey League over the next 11 years.

Tezikov died on July 16, 2020, at the age of 42, after suffering a heart attack.