Zachary Ashton

undefinedZachary Ashton is a Russian Professional ice hockey player and captain of the Carolina Racers of the AceCasino League (MLH). Nicknamed "The Tsar" Ashton was selected first overall by the Racers in the 2004 MLH Entry Draft, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time.

Early Life
Ashton was born in the Republican Clinical Hospital in Kazan,Russia on January, 1984  to Nikolai Ashton and Anna Detrovolsky. Ashton's jersey number (94) reflects on his father's jersey number when he played in the MLH. Ashton grew up in Moscow with his younger brothers Anton and Pavel. His grandfather was a defenseman who played for CSKA Moscow in the Soviet League.

Severstal Cherepovets
Ashton began playing in the Russian Super League (RSL) in Severstal Cherepovets  at the age of 16. Making his professional debut in the 2001–02 season, he scored six points in 21 games. He would spend three seasons there prior to being drafted by the MLH, and he would rack up 45 goals and 42 assists in 160 career games. The following off-season, Ashton was selected first overall in the 2004 MLH Draft by the Carolina Racers. He had been projected as the first overall pick for nearly two years and had earned comparisons to .