&host=www.rt.com&uri=/sport/hockey/fetisov-51-comeback-cska/&via=1.1 205.128.88.13:80 (Footprint 4.8/FPMCP)&ua=CCBot/1.0 (+http://www.commoncrawl.org/bot.html))
Fetisov, 51, thrilled with hockey comeback
Published: 13 December, 2009, 01:59
Edited: 13 December, 2009, 14:49
Russian hockey fans have been glued to their TVs as legendary two-time Olympic gold medalist Vyacheslav Fetisov was making his sensational return to the ice rink to defend his home team CSKA.
Fetisov has made his debut in the Kontinental Hockey League on Friday after 11 years off the ice. The energy was palpable at CSKA arena and though the team lost 3-2, no one seemed to mind or even care with a legend back on the rink.
Fetisov has signed a contract with CSKA – the club where he began his career back in 1975 and currently occupies the position of president. The deal lasts until the end of the 2009/10 season.
“We’ve got great traditions in [CSKA], probably the most successful professional club in the history of the sport. My move is also a tribute to the generation I was playing. I was the captain of this team for eight years. So I am aiming to bring more attention to hockey and help the youngsters,” Vyacheslav Fetisov said.
The winner of two Stanley Cups and two times Olympic champion has donned the Number 2 shirt once again.
“It’s a challenge for a 51-year-old man to play in the big league. And another thing is to bring attention to other things. There is a lot of negativity in the world right now, starting from the world financial crisis and so on. But hockey is a positive moment in our country. We have got the KHL, which is successful. [Russia] is world champion at the moment,” he commented.
The defender’s return to the sport has happened in a home game against top-seated SKA Saint Petersburg, and Fetisov confessed he was thrilled to be back in action.
“I feel very excited right now. I have not played for [CSKA] for 20 years. And I have not taken part in competitive hockey for 11 years. The players around me are young kids. But I like the atmosphere in the dressing room,” CSKA’s playing president said.
Ahead of the game, SKA players said that they were not going to hold back playing against the veteran.
“We are going to play full strength against Fetisov. It was his decision to come back to the ice and he should be ready for everything,” said Maksim Sushinsky, Russian international and SKA’s forward.
Fetisov decided to unpack his skates after a proposition from the coach of his former club CSKA and partner in the Soviet team – Sergey Nemchinov, which came on Wednesday. The Muscovites have recently slipped to fifth position in their conference, due to an epidemic of injuries.
“We had a lot of injuries recently. And after another player – defender Denis Kulyash – was out of the game I told Vyacheslav Fetisov, the following: If this goes on this way you will have to go out and play because it’s hard to cope with six defenders,” Sergey Nemchinov told Sportbox.ru.
It was just a joke, but the president took it seriously. And Nemchinov said it will not be hard for him to return to the ice as Fetisov is “in good form” as has been training on a regular basis both on ice and in the gym.
“His very presence on the bench, in the dressing room, and on the ice will be an invaluable experience for the players,” Nemchinov stressed.
Vyacheslav Fetisov last played an official game back in 1998. After retiring from hockey he worked as the general manager of the Russian national hockey team, was Russia’s Minister of Sport and occupies the position of CSKA president.
He is one of the most decorated players in the history of the sport. Besides two Olympic golds, the defender won seven world championships with Russia and two Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings.
Fetisov was included in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2001.
Read also: Circus acrobats fall on ice-covered arena in Moscow
12.12.2009, 01:55
Fetisov returns to hockey…at the age of 51Ice hockey legend Vyacheslav Fetisov is making his return to the ice, despite being 51 years old. |
15.12.2009, 12:28
1 comment
“I had tears in my eyes” – FetisovHockey legend Vyacheslav Fetisov, 51, said he had tears in his eyes during his sensational comeback to hockey last week, when he played a KHL game in the colors of his former side CSKA. |
Fetisov is not "one of the most decorated players in the history". I believe, that he is THE ONLY one who got ALL the most prestigious hockey trophies: two international -- World Cup and Olympic Gold, and two national -- he was in the winning teams of two the best hockey leagues in the world -- Canada's and USSR's. Though, he is not, necessarily, considered as the best hockey player of all times.
hehe, I remember when I was a kid in the first (elementary?) school and I used to be a big fan of the Red Wings, they used to have more Russians there I believe. Also, I had a card of him :-D. Then I lost interest in NHL, I think as well because of his and others departure (if it wasnt some injury or something to others) Good ole times :-) as if I was old ... 51 isnt too old. Looks may be deceiving, endurance shorter, bones perhaps more likely to break, but my father is a bit older and does a lot of physical stuff all day, and no way hes weak. Weaker than 10-15 years ago, but still strong. So if Vyjačeslav does workout hard, he shouldnt have anything to be afraid of. Good luck my ole favorite player ! :-) With love from eastern Slovakia :-D