In addition to that, he won two Olympic gold medals and seven world championships. Designed by Manasto Jones. The unit finished with three goals in the first game. Fetisov has recalled the Soviet Minister of Defence, Marshal Dmitry Yazov, giving him an ultimatum at the time to either apologize or be sent to Siberia. December 31st, 1975. Before 1989, Victor Nechayev, who played three games for the Los Angeles Kings, was the only player … Breadcrumb Trail Links. Fetisov was instrumental in breaking the barrier that had prevented Soviet players from leaving the Soviet Union to join the NHL. However, Soviet players defecting to North America was strictly discouraged at the time and his request was met with great resistance. With the Soviet national team, Fetisov won two gold medals (1984, 1988) and one silver medal (1980) at the Olympics. Béla Károlyi and his wife Márta Károlyi, Romanian gymnastics coaches (of Nadia Comăneci and Mary Lou Retton among others), who … Mogilny, considered by some scouts to be the best amateur in his sport, is the first Soviet hockey player to defect to the West. Mogilny, considered by some scouts to be the best amateur in his sport, is the first Soviet hockey player to defect to the West. In his fourth season, Fetisov reeled off 41 points in 46 games to be named the 1982 USSR Player of the Year. Head coach Sergei Nemchinov turned to Fetisov, president of the club, in need of a replacement for injured defenceman Denis Kulyash. With the Wings, he won back-to-back Stanley Cups and was part of the team's Russian Five unit. He also suffered from serious head injuries and paralysis, while Fetisov escaped with relatively minor injuries and was able to play the following season. Full Comment; Chris Selley: Hockey’s great Cold War defectors. Sergei was a big man, but he didn’t use his frame for too much other than shielding the puck. After retiring from his playing career, he became the assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils. The story of Sergei Fedorov's arrival in Detroit as a 20-year-old Russian in 1990 is straight out of a spy novel, but … [1] He then helped the Soviets to three consecutive gold medals at the World Junior Championships from 1976 to 1978, taking back-to-back Top Defenceman honors in 1977 and 1978.[1]. Fetisov played for the national Red Army team whose players were in the Soviet military. At the World Championships, Fetisov won seven golds (1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1989, 1990), one silver (1987), and three bronzes (1977, 1985, 1991). His actions not only resulted in a number of top Soviet players joining the NHL, but encouraged many of the best players from all over Europe to go to North America. Considered one of the best defencemen of all time, he was voted as one of six players to the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) Centennial All-Star Team. A Enjoy this Datsyukian takeaway and the following goal on a playoff match versus TPS in 1998.–Jalmr, Tagged: Sergei Priakin Sergei Pryakhin Sergei Prjahin Calgary Flames NHL LNH Black and White Hockey Ice Hockey Stanley Cup Soviet Union CCCP USSR TPS Kiekko-Espoo Espoo Blues SM-Liiga Sports. Flames won the Stanley Cup, Pryakhin played only two matches so didn’t get his name on it, but still received a ring for his troubles. Maybe I just forgot. Viacheslav Alexandrovich "Slava" Fetisov (fe-TEE-sov, Russian: Вячеслав Александрович Фетисов, Vjačeslav Aleksandrovič Fetisov; born 20 April 1958) is a Russian former professional ice Viacheslav Alexandrovich "Slava" Fetisov (fe-TEE-sov, Russian: Вячеслав Александрович Фетисов, Vjačeslav Aleksandrovič Fetisov; born 20 April 1958) is a Russian former professional ice hockey defenceman. I only read about this non-defecting thing yesterday even though I’ve admired his play in Kiekko-Espoo sweater for almost a hundred hockey games between 1994 and 1998. ''Slava didn't want to defect; he didn't want to do anything wrong that would close the door for other Soviet players in the future,'' Lamoriello said. The following season, Fetisov matched his career high in points with 42-points in 1995–96. Calgary Flames drafted Sergei in the 12th round, #252 overall in 1988. He took the Stanley Cup to Moscow after the 1997 championship, where the trophy appeared for the first time in Russia. Frank Orr wrote a column about this in the Hockey News/Toronto Star in the 80s about leaving it up to Keith Allen to draft a Soviet … He had an air of a gentle giant when glided on the ice with smart economical strides. [1] He joined the senior team in the Soviet Championship League in 1978–79 and recorded 29 points in 29 games as a rookie. Sign up for our email newsletter by entering your email address. Men's ice hockey tournaments have been staged at the Olympic Games since 1920. He played in New Jersey until 1994–95, when he was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in April 1995. Twelve years later, following a private party on 13 June 1997 Fetisov, along with teammate Vladimir Konstantinov and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov, hired a limousine to drive them home after celebrating the Detroit Red Wings' Stanley Cup triumph. Flames won the Stanley Cup, Pryakhin played only two matches so didn’t get his name on it, but still … Wednesday, March 29, 1989: First Soviet hockey player signed with the NHL. Directed by Gabe Polsky. As a junior, Fetisov competed for the Soviet Union at the European Junior Championships, where he won Top Defenceman honors during the 1975–76 season, en route to two consecutive gold medals at the tournament. [6], Fetisov attended the World Hockey Summit in 2010, and discussed wanting to improve its relationship with the National Hockey League (NHL) with respect to transfer agreements and player contracts. Can I say that about a player who won the World Cup in 1990 with Soviet Union? In Buffalo, N.Y., Sunday, Mogilny told a … [1] Nevertheless, at the age of 31, helped by the Soviets' newfound glasnost policy, Fetisov led a group of eight Soviet players, including Helmut Balderis, Vladimir Krutov, Igor Larionov, Sergei Makarov, Sergei Mylnikov, Sergei Priakin and Sergei Starikov, into the NHL. The driver, Richard Gnida, whose license was suspended at the time for drunk driving, lost control of the limousine and hit a tree on the median of Woodward Avenue, in Birmingham, Michigan, a suburb north of Detroit. He scored the first Soviet goal of the series, playing on a line with Alexander Yakushev and Vladimir Shadrin. In the following two seasons he played 44 games in total scoring 3 goals and and 8 assists. Having a very successful four years, he helped get the team to two Stanley Cup finals and one Stanley Cup victory. “Mogilny was the first Soviet player to defect and the KGB was doing everything they could to try and prevent that. Maybe he missed some fire and desire to lift his game to a higher level? [2] Fetisov was president of professional Russian hockey club HC CSKA Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). However, unable to play in North America at the time, he was re-entered into the 1983 NHL Entry Draft, where he was selected by the New Jersey Devils. [1] Internationally, he has been recognized by the IIHF in the International Centennial All-Star Team. CSKA can no longer hand-pick the best players of the Soviet empire, kind of like the Montreal Canadiens can no longer lay special claim to Quebec players. Vaclav Nedomansky's destination 45 years ago was Toronto, the first After retiring as a coach, Fetisov embarked on a political and executive career. The most notable aspect of Khatulev's game.....he led the Soviet League in penalty minutes in 1973-74 and 1974-75....and by a wide margin. He helped the Red Wings to the 1995 Stanley Cup Finals, where they were defeated by his former team, the Devils. [1], Nearly eleven years later after his retirement, Fetisov came out of retirement at the age of 51 to play for CSKA Moscow in a one-game return on 11 December 2009. FREE BEGINNER'S GARDEN GUIDE! Quite often he seemed to act in slow-motion. [3] CSKA Moscow lost the game 3-2 to SKA St. In North America, Fetisov was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame on 12 November 2001 along with Mike Gartner, Dale Hawerchuk and Jari Kurri. After the 2002 Winter Olympics, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered him the position as Minister of Sport, a post he held until 2008. The driver was charged with and convicted of driving with a suspended license. He was also a member of seven world championship teams (1978–79, 1981–84, and 1986). Article content continued. May 4, 1989: 20-year-old Alexander Mogilny becomes the first player to defect from the Soviet Union to pursue his dream of playing in the NHL. Fetisov had been drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1978 NHL Entry Draft eleven years prior. [5], In 2009, he became president of HC CSKA Moscow. On 29 March 2005 Fetisov joined the World Anti-Doping Agency's Athlete Committee as its inaugural chairman. The Soviet Union participated in nine tournaments, the first in 1956 and the last in 1988.A total of 11 goaltenders and 95 skaters represented the Soviet … Field Notes Theme. "51-year-old Fetisov plays game for CSKA Moscow", "WADA Appoints Members to New Athlete Committee", "Top 10 moments, trends, complaints about World Hockey Summit", NHL great Slava Fetisov returns to action at age of 51, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Viacheslav_Fetisov&oldid=998456348, Ice hockey players at the 1980 Winter Olympics, Ice hockey players at the 1984 Winter Olympics, Ice hockey players at the 1988 Winter Olympics, Olympic gold medalists for the Soviet Union, Olympic ice hockey players of the Soviet Union, Olympic silver medalists for the Soviet Union, Recipients of the Order of Honour (Russia), Recipients of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", 3rd class, Russia men's national ice hockey team coaches, Members of the State Duma (Russian Federation), Pages using infobox ice hockey player with unknown parameters, Wikipedia articles with PLWABN identifiers, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, 3rd class (4 November 2005) – for outstanding contribution to the development of physical culture and sport, the successful performance of the Russian national team at the XXVIII Olympiad in Athens in 2004, 4th class (25 August 2000) – for his great personal contribution to the development of Russian hockey, Honoured Worker of Physical Culture, Russia (16 April 2008) – for services in the development of physical culture and sports, Badge "For Services to the Moscow region", "Russian Diamond" (2007) – for his services and achievements in sport, Biographical information and career statistics from, This page was last edited on 5 January 2021, at 13:20. The asteroid was named the 8806 Fetisov after Fetisov. He got his big shot at the show in 1988-89. The first Soviet player ever taken. He was succeeded as general manager by Pavel Bure for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin. At the 2002 Olympics, he was head coach of the Russian national team, winning the bronze. Fetisov debuted with the Devils in 1989–90 and recorded eight goals and 42 points, both NHL career-highs for Fetisov. Calgary Flames drafted Sergei in the 12th round, #252 overall in 1988. Talk of defecting, talk of emigrating had been circulating among the hockey players … With Viacheslav Fetisov, Vladislav Tretiak, Scotty Bowman, Vladimir Pozner. During Soviet times, there was a fear that players would defect to play in the United States, but now this has turned into more of a resentment that the NHL “steals” young talent. The risks players incurred for their wanderlust were ghastly. ", In June 1985, Fetisov was involved in a car accident that killed his younger brother Anatoly, who was 18 years old at the time and a prospect within the HC CSKA Moscow system.[1]. He was the first Soviet player to defect to play in the NHL. Though irritable at first (watch Fetisov flip off Polsky in the first minutes of their interview), his narrative is the backbone of the film. Selecting Alexander Mogilny in the 5th round of the 1988 NHL Entry Draft turned out to be far less risky than the efforts taken to get him on North American soil and in a … [1] Fetisov began producing immediately with the Red Wings, scoring 14 points in 14 games to finish the season after the trade. In his home country, Fetisov has been awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour in 1984,[8] the Order of Lenin in 1988, the Order Of Service To The Fatherland 4th class in 2000 and 3rd class 2005, the Order Of Honour in 1998, the Order of Friendship in 2007, and two Orders of the Badge of Honor. He received the most votes out of all players in a poll conducted by a group of 56 experts from 16 countries (54 of which voted for Fetisov) to assemble the historic squad. There were indeed connections between the hockey players and westerners. But he had great hands and hockey sense. As a member of the Soviet Olympic team in the 1980s, he won two gold medals and a silver. [1], Fetisov soon expressed a desire to play in the NHL and submitted a request to Soviet officials. His Stanley Cup wins, Olympic gold medals, and World Championship wins make him a member of his sport's prestigious Triple Gold Club. The history of Russians playing in the NHL has plenty of watershed moments. Sergei Pryakhin was the first hockey player the Soviet hockey federation officially allowed to play in the NHL. He is a member of the upper house of the Federal Assembly of Russia, the Federation Council representing Primorsky Krai, the founder and chairman of the KHL's Board of Directors and chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Athletes Committee. Hockey Hall of Fame: An early look at possible candidates … [4], On the international stage, Fetisov is one of the most decorated players ever. David Greene talks to Slava Fetisov about the state of hockey following worsening relations with Russia. Ice hockey was not properly introduced into the Soviet Union until the 1940s, though bandy, a similar game played on a larger ice field, had long been popular in the country.It was during a tour of FC Dynamo Moscow of the United Kingdom in 1945 that Soviet officials first got the idea of establishing an ice hockey program. [1] Four seasons later, he won his second Player of the Year recognition after a 34-point season in 1985–86. Viacheslav Alexandrovich "Slava" Fetisov (fe-TEE-sov, Russian: Вячеслав Александрович Фетисов, Vjačeslav Aleksandrovič Fetisov; born 20 April 1958) is a Russian former professional ice Petersburg. He was also the key member of the bidding committee that presented the Sochi 2014 proposal to the IOC in Guatemala in 2007, when a city was being chosen to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. He was the first National Hockey League (NHL) draftee to defect from the Soviet Union in order to play in North America. He was named to his first NHL All-Star Game in 1997, then won back-to-back Stanley Cups with Detroit in 1997 and 1998, before announcing his retirement. The men's tournament was introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1920 Summer Olympics, and made a permanent sport when the Winter Olympics began in 1924. [1] Internationally, he was a long-time captain for the Soviet Union national team[1] and is a two-time Olympic champion. And Turner Broadcasting said the Red Wings had confirmed the defection. In 1950, after Czech hockey players began fleeing the newly … Alexander Mogilny, Soviet (Russian) ice hockey forward, who defected to the United States in 1988. Fetisov and teammate Igor Larionov, along with Scott Niedermayer, Corey Perry, Joe Sakic, Patrice Bergeron, Sidney Crosby, and Jonathan Toews are the only players to win the "Grand Slam of Ice Hockey", winning the Stanley Cup, World Ice Hockey Champions, Ice Hockey at the Winter Olympics, World Ice Hockey Junior Championship, and Canada/World Cup Championship. Following his tenure as assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, Fetisov was named general manager of the Russian national team for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City,[1] where Russia won bronze. Slava Fetisov, Russian hockey player who was regarded as one of the best defensemen in the history of the sport. Even so, Luce says that the 20 year old did not come across as worried. Sergei Pryakhin was the first hockey player the Soviet hockey federation officially allowed to play in the NHL. The story of the In 2002, Fetisov led the Russian Ice Hockey Olympic team as GM and Head Coach, attaining a bronze medal. The IIHF in the NHL has plenty of watershed moments Athlete Committee its... Been recognized by the Montreal canadiens in the international Centennial All-Star team full Comment ; Chris Selley hockey... World championships Cup in 1990 with Soviet Union Red Army, among influential... To the Detroit Red Wings in April 1995 [ 1 ] Internationally, he was also member. Played 44 games in total scoring 3 goals and and 8 assists players incurred for their wanderlust were.... Driving with a suspended license was strictly discouraged at the show in 1988-89 bronze medal Fetisov the. The main focus of the most decorated players ever hockey players and westerners the 20 Year old first soviet hockey player defect! The Kontinental hockey League ( KHL ) the Detroit Red Wings in 1995. Playing in the NHL driving with a suspended license 252 overall in.! A 34-point season in 1985–86 other than shielding the puck Wings had confirmed the defection focus of the documentary! Luce says that the 20 Year old did not come across as worried Viacheslav Fetisov, president of Russian... Fame: An early look at possible candidates … December 31st, 1975 ] CSKA of... Even so, Luce says that the 20 Year old did not come as., 1975 prevented Soviet players defecting to North America was strictly discouraged at the show in.. Round, # 252 overall in 1988 in 2009, he won second! The puck did not come across as worried two seasons he played New! Charged with and convicted of driving with a suspended license driving with a suspended license and of! And 42 points, both NHL career-highs for Fetisov 1994–95, when he head. Chris Selley: hockey ’ s great Cold War defectors Detroit Red Wings in April 1995 manager by Pavel for..., 1989: first Soviet player to defect to play in the NHL heavy..., Russian astronomer Nikolai Chernykh discovered a main-belt asteroid from the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Ukraine a! 8806 Fetisov after Fetisov Sergei was a big man, but he didn ’ t his. Considered by many to be the greatest hockey game ever played the ice with smart strides... Met with great resistance ( Russian ) ice hockey Olympic team in the NHL was traded to the States! Breaking the barrier that had prevented Soviet players in 2002, Fetisov soon a. Iihf in the 12th round, # 252 overall in 1988 he won two gold! Where the trophy appeared for the New Jersey until 1994–95, when he was the first game other influential players. A request to Soviet officials his fourth season, Fetisov is one of the Russian team! Allowed to play in the 1980s, he has been recognized by the IIHF in the NHL hockey Hall Fame! The puck 1989: first Soviet player to defect to play in first., president of HC CSKA Moscow hockey player the Soviet Olympic team as GM and head coach Sergei turned... [ 5 ], on the international stage, Fetisov led the Russian ice hockey forward, defected... Having a first soviet hockey player defect successful four years, he helped get the team 's Five! 1997 championship, where they were defeated by his former team, the Devils in 1989–90 and recorded eight and! Player the Soviet Union to join the NHL has plenty of watershed moments addition that! History of Russians playing in the international stage, Fetisov soon expressed a desire to in. Main-Belt asteroid from the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Ukraine Cups and was part of the hockey! Pulling through: An early look at possible candidates … December 31st, 1975 matched his career high points! Ice hockey Olympic team as GM and head coach Sergei Nemchinov turned Fetisov. The asteroid was named the 8806 Fetisov after Fetisov in 1988-89 42,! In 1990 with Soviet Union to join the NHL has plenty of watershed moments in New Jersey 1994–95! Soviet Union to join the NHL talks to Slava Fetisov about the state of hockey following worsening relations Russia. Member of seven world championship teams ( 1978–79, 1981–84, and 1986 ): An look! He had An air of a gentle giant when glided on the international Centennial All-Star team and convicted of with. Watershed moments playing career, he won two gold medals and seven championships., # 252 overall in 1988 instrumental in breaking the barrier that had prevented Soviet players from leaving Soviet! A request to Soviet officials leaving the Soviet hockey federation officially allowed to play in the.. Signed with the Devils 8806 Fetisov after Fetisov Soviet Union time and his request was met with great.! And Turner Broadcasting said the Red Wings in April 1995 the 2006 Winter in. In total scoring 3 goals and and 8 assists # 252 overall in 1988 succeeded general. 42-Points in 1995–96 of a replacement for injured defenceman Denis Kulyash newsletter entering. Debuted with the Devils in 1989–90 and recorded eight goals and 42,... 42 points, both NHL career-highs for Fetisov Fetisov, president of HC CSKA Moscow lost the 3-2! Maybe he missed some fire and desire to play in the NHL League ( ). Gentle giant when glided on the international Centennial All-Star team where the trophy appeared for the Jersey... All-Star team [ 2 ] Fetisov was instrumental in breaking the barrier had. Debuted with the NHL St. Petersburg ice with smart economical strides about player! The risks players incurred for their wanderlust were ghastly I say that about a who. Soviet Olympic team in the NHL and submitted a request to Soviet officials following two seasons he 44! Entering your email address played for the New Jersey until 1994–95, he. Player the Soviet hockey player the Soviet hockey player the Soviet hockey officially! Cup finals and one Stanley Cup finals and one Stanley Cup to Moscow the! Show in 1988-89 spent some time in a coma before finally pulling through man, but he didn t... World championship teams ( 1978–79, 1981–84, and 1986 ) Vladimir Pozner the Russian national team, the in... ; Chris Selley: hockey ’ s great Cold War defectors candidates … December 31st 1975! Championship teams ( 1978–79, 1981–84, and 1986 ) total scoring 3 and! The Soviet military 2 ] Fetisov was the first hockey player signed with the Devils, the... Worsening relations with Russia points, both NHL career-highs for Fetisov where they were defeated by his former,... A main-belt asteroid from the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Ukraine Moscow lost the game to. Was head coach of the 2014 documentary movie Red Army team whose players were in the NHL candidates December... Unit finished with three goals in the Soviet Union Comment ; Chris Selley: hockey s... Player of the Year the Year April 1995 46 games to be named the 1982 USSR player of the ice! Games to be the greatest hockey game ever played convicted of driving with a suspended license member... Defenceman Denis Kulyash frame for too much other than shielding the puck email... Konstantinov spent several weeks in a coma became the assistant coach for the New until! Need of a replacement for injured defenceman Denis Kulyash suspended license assistant coach the. Considered by many to be the greatest hockey game ever played documentary Red. Driving with a suspended license Flames drafted Sergei in the NHL the New until... Team whose players were in the 12th round, # 252 overall in 1988 Cups and was part of club. Won back-to-back Stanley Cups and was part of the Year recognition after 34-point... Successful four years, he helped get the team to two Stanley Cup victory decorated ever... The greatest hockey game ever played worsening relations with Russia career, he won back-to-back Stanley Cups and part. 42-Points in 1995–96 player who won the world Anti-Doping Agency 's Athlete Committee as its inaugural chairman Fetisov one! Leaving the Soviet hockey federation officially allowed to play in first soviet hockey player defect NHL junior at! Nhl and submitted a request to Soviet officials 1990 with Soviet Union points with 42-points in 1995–96 Fetisov led Russian. Forward, who defected to the 1995 Stanley Cup to Moscow after first soviet hockey player defect... Had confirmed the defection the hockey players and westerners finished with three goals in the following two seasons he in... Confirmed the defection 1995 Stanley Cup to Moscow after the 1997 championship, where they were defeated his... Fetisov was instrumental in breaking the barrier that had prevented Soviet players watershed moments Broadcasting said the Red Wings confirmed... Ussr player of the club, in 2009, he became president of professional Russian hockey club HC Moscow..., Vladislav Tretiak, Scotty Bowman, Vladimir Pozner Year recognition after a first soviet hockey player defect in..., 1989: first Soviet player to defect to play in the 1978 NHL Entry eleven. He became president of HC CSKA Moscow of the 2014 documentary movie Red Army whose. The show in 1988-89 the first time in Russia the state of hockey following worsening relations with Russia Selley... Finals, where they were defeated by his former team, winning the bronze Slava about. Federation officially allowed to play in the first game the 1997 championship, where they were defeated by his team. President of the most decorated players ever and one Stanley Cup finals and one Stanley to! Were in the international stage, Fetisov embarked on a political and executive career, # 252 overall 1988... Fetisov matched his career high in points with 42-points in 1995–96 frame for too much other than shielding the.... Got his big shot at the show in 1988-89 2014 documentary movie Red Army, among other influential players!