It is well known that Russians are great admirers of
hockey and have a productive hockey system which has produced a number of talented
athletes such as Vladislav Tretyak, Valerie Kharlamov, Vyacheslav Fetisov, Sergei Fedorov
and Pavel Bure. For example, this season approximately 67 Russian players are in the NHL.
It's no secret that these 67 products of Russian hockey system could compose three decent
teams. There's also those who are playing in the AHL and IHL. Russia always was and will
be a pool of hockey talents.
As for its hockey fans, there are many of them who do not understand
the policy of its state's TV companies. There is no hockey broadcast on TV at all in
Russia. They see on their screens 2-3 hours of silly fat politicians and in the best case
only 2-3 minutes of daily sporting news. Many people would be surprised if I tell them
that Russian fans had no chance to see the triumph of its junior team at the 1998 World
Championchips held in Canada. Moreover, this year they could not watch the Russian hockey
championships and first All-Star Game on TV.
TV bosses comment on the situation in this way, «Hockey is not popular
in Russia.»
The question arises, «How do you explain the high attendance numbers
at games like Metallurg Novokuznetsk vs Dynamo Moscow, Metallurg Magnitogorsk vs Severstal
Cherepovets, and Dynamo vs Metallurg Magnitogorsk where games sell-out?»
As for the first All-Star Game which will be held on December 10,1999
in Novokuznetsk, shame on the Russian TV bosses!
Recently it was officially announced by Roman Hairetdinov, the
executive director of the game, that an organizing committee received a letter from the
American broadcasting company CNN which said it was interested in broadcasting the first
Russian All-Star game. Roman Hairetdinov agreed. So viewers in 150 countries will follow
the events of the first Russian All-Star game on December 13-14, except Russians.
