Alexei Zhamnov was drafted by the
Winnipeg Jets in the 4th round, 77th overall, in the
1990 NHL entry draft. After the 1992 Olympics, he began his career with the Jets in the
1992–93 season. Zhamnov centered the Jets formidable "Olympic line" with teammates
Keith Tkachuk and
Teemu Selanne, with all three being Olympians for their respective countries. Zhamnov's tenure with the Jets was very successful, having managed over a point per game in each of his four seasons there. His best season was in the lockout-shortened
1994-95 season, where he led the Jets in scoring and finished third in the entire league. Of particular note was when he scored
5 goals against the
Los Angeles Kings on April 1, 1995. The game would ultimately end in a 7–7 tie. After the Jets moved to Phoenix, Zhamnov was traded by the
Phoenix Coyotes (having never suited up for them) to the
Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for
Jeremy Roenick in the summer of
1996. While he no longer maintained his point per game scoring pace with the Blackhawks, he ironically had offensive success with Roenick's childhood friend
Tony Amonte. During his tenure with the Blackhawks he would serve as team captain from
2002 to
2004. On 20 February 2004, Zhamnov was then traded by Chicago to the
Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for
Jim Vandermeer,
Colin Fraser, and a second-round selection in the
2004 NHL entry draft. On 4 August 2005, Zhamnov signed a three-year deal with the
Boston Bruins as a
free agent. However having played just 24 games into his first season with the Bruins into the
2005–06 season, Zhamnov was often injured and placed on the long-term injury list by the Boston Bruins on January 7, 2006 after suffering a career ending broken ankle in what would be his final professional game in a 6-3 victory over the
Tampa Bay Lightning. Zhamnov subsequently retired in 2006. ==International play==