TTM Success: Nikolai Borschevsky

  Nikolai Borschevsky was a 28 year old rookie when he debuted with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1992.  Borschevsky was one of the many Russians who took advantage of the dissolution of the USSR to cross the pond and take their shot at the NHL.  While Borschevsky's career only lasted 162 games, he will forever have a place in Maple Leaf history.  In his rookie season, Borschevsky finished 4th in rookie scoring with 74 points.  He led the Maple Leafs in goals, 34, and +/-, 33.  The moment a generation of Leafs fans will never forget, is Borschevsky's game 7 overtime winner against the Detroit Red Wings in the Norris division semi-final. His game 7 tip-in paved the way for the Leafs to make their deepest play-off run since the 1977.  After a very promising rookie season, Borschevsky, who was only 5'9' and 180lbs, began to run into a serious of injuries, including a ruptured spleen.  The injuries, NHL lockout, and trades marred his final seasons in the NHL.  He scored 1 goal in his last 39 games while playing for three different teams in his final two NHL seasons.  Borschevsky returned to Russia to play two more seasons before retiring.