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When the Canadiens traded Brian Savage and a third-round draft pick to the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for left-winger Sergei Berezin in 2002, it was improbable to think the transaction would be contributing dividends 15 years later.

Only three days after Canadiens general manager André Savard made the deal, Berezin made history with Le Tricolore by registering the franchise’s 10,000th home-ice goal during a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at the Bell Centre.

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But apart from his on-ice achievements with the CH, a relationship Berezin forged with Russian countryman Andrei Markov when the two were Habs teammates has become the byproduct of a trade that keeps on giving.

For the past several off-seasons, Berezin has trained Markov rigorously through the summer months to help maximize the 38 year-old defenceman’s endurance. Berezin also remains in close communication with Markov during the regular season and is one of his most trusted confidants.