In 1995, Russian Alexei Zhamnov was having his most productive goal-scoring NHL year. And in this THN Archive story, writer Michael Ulmer put Zhamnov under the spotlight.

In the 1994-95 NHL season, then-Winnipeg Jets center Alexei Zhamnov was in the midst of what would turn out to be his best goal-scoring year, as he'd eventually post 30 goals in the shortened season. And in this feature story by veteran THN writer Michael Ulmer -- in THN's Feb. 3, 1995 edition -- Ulmer did a deep-dive profile of Zhamnov as he settled into a role as a key member of the Jets:

ZHAMNOV: RED ALERT

By Michael Ulmer

First there was the Russian Rocket. Now, make way for the Russian Redhead.

Lost in the morass of the Winnipeg Jets’ freefall through the Central Division standings last season was the improved play of center Alexei Zhamnov.

On Dec. 23, Zhamnov recorded a five-point game against the Quebec Nordiques to grab a share of third-spot in the NHL scoring race. His 51 points tied him with Mark Recchi of the Philadelphia Flyers and the duo trailed only Wayne Gretzky of the Los Angeles Kings and Sergei Fedorov of the Detroit Red Wings.

For Zhamnov and the Jets, those would be the headiest days in what was a dismally disappointing season. Pain from a bulging disc in his lower back knocked him out of the lineup Dec. 29. He missed seven games and played poorly when he returned, scoring just once in his next 17 contests.

Zhamnov righted himself in late February, scoring eight goals in nine games, but the back pain flared up again and the Jets shut down his season March 16. Zhamnov finished with 26 goals and 71 points.

When the Jets opened Jan. 20 against the Calgary Flames, 310 days had elapsed since Zhamnov appeared in a regularseason game. His back has improved dramatically, but he is taking a wait-and-see attitude on how it will hold up during the season.

“Of course, I want a good start like last year,” Zhamnov said. “I want to play well and I want to play in the playoffs. It’s no fun playing 60 games and then watching the rest on television.”

Zhamnov has been working diligently on a program devised by American back specialist Dr. Robert Watkins. The back pain is believed to be the manifestation of a hip injury that wasn’t properly treated when Zhamnov was a member of Moscow Spartak in his native Russia. The Jets learned only last year Zhamnov played through pain much of his first two NHL seasons and often experienced pain when he bent over to tie his skates.

Part of Zhamnov’s daily routine is to exercise with large, soft plastic ball. By placing the ball, which is about twice the size of basketball, behind the small of his back, he can work the supporting muscles in the lower back and keep the disc in better alignment. The ball will be Zhamnov’s constant companion; the Jets will take it on the road.

At home, Zhamnov-a 24-year-old father of one-is favorite among fans and teammates. His wise-guy demeanor and flaming red hair prompted Jets’ teammates to dub him Archie after the famous comic book character.

“Even the fans are doing it now,” Zhamnov laughed. “They say, ‘Hi Archie’ when I go by. I think it’s okay. He’s from the comic books, I think.”

With a healthy, productive Zhamnov, the Jets have a third elite player to complement captain Keith Tkachuk and gifted right winger Teemu Selanne. Zhamnov is a very good skater and stickhandler with excellent vision of the ice, but his shot-while accurate-will not induce career changes in goaltenders. He is conscientious defensively and when uninjured probably fits in as a poor man’s Fedorov.

The problem in Zhamnov’s first two seasons has been a lack of conditioning and a tardiness in grasping the demands of an NHL season.

“We believe he has made the commitment to strengthen his back and stick to Dr. Watkins’ program,” said Jets’ coachgeneral manager John Paddock. “We think that commitment will flow into a commitment to the rest of his game. In the past, his conditioning was all right, but when it was time to put himself in tight situations and do the extra things we expect from hockey players here, it didn’t always happen.”

Paddock is tinkering with the idea of moving Zhamnov from the Selanne-Tkachuk unit to a second line, possibly with speedy winger Nelson Emerson. Last year, Paddock occasionally used Tkachuk as a center and with Dallas Drake able to play center or wing, there are various possible line permutations.

Even if he is moved off the No. 1 line, Zhamnov will still center Selanne on the Jets’ first power-play unit and take a turn on penalty-killing units.

Zhamnov said he’s ready, but is not willing to say how many points he hopes to get in the 1995 campaign.

“I think we have a good team and that’s what’s most important,” he said. “Last year, a guy asked how many points I thought I could get and I said 100 to 120 would be good. This time, I don’t want to say. We’ll see at the end of the season.”