Originally designed by Soviet Union general Mikhail Kalashnikov, the Avtomat Kalashnikova, or AK-47, was officially introduced in 1948 and quickly became one of the most infamous, widely circulated assault rifles on earth. In the early aughts, Jazz center Andrei Kirilenko ushered the weapon into the American sports mainstream, earning the nickname AK-47 as a homage to his Russian heritage, initials, and, of course, the number 47 that he donned throughout his career. Not to content to have their beloved killing machine co-opted by the Yanks, however, Russia has now set out to reclaim its national icon, gifting it to Izhstal goalie Savely Kononov, who proudly (and perhaps a bit nervously) accepted the token after posting 36 saves in a 3-2 victory over Chelmet.