An excerpt from Habsworld (T.C. Denault):
Yet for Andrei Markov, fame has proven elusive.
The Canadiens lone all-star last season, Markov garnered the most votes of any defenseman in the Eastern Conference, and was second only to Sidney Crosby in voting for all players in the conference. However, in a discussion of the league’s top defenseman his name rarely comes up. And while many defensemen live in the shadow of the continued greatness of Nicklas Lidstrom, Markov finds himself buried deeper in the shadows than most.
A man given to quiet introspection as opposed to blatant self promotion, Markov finds himself as an oddity in today’s sporting world where even the least talented of players find a way to make the news with their mouth and not always their play. Markov will never make a headline with his words, instead preferring to have his play speak for him.
By not giving good copy to the press on a consistent basis, Markov has watched others, many less talented; receive far more publicity because of their willingness to engage the media on a regular basis. Unusually soft spoken for today’s athlete, Markov has achieved a modicum of fame, solely based on his on-ice play. Ironically, the most press that Markov found last year was when his friend, and noted competitor Alexander Ovechkin pronounced Markov as the toughest defensemen he plays against on a regular basis.