August 5, 2000

Fetisov Recruits Hockey Greats for his Finale

Former Russian hockey great Vyacheslav Fetisov, currently an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils, will bring other NHL stars to Moscow's Olympic sport complex August 25 for an exhibition game that will allow him to close out his playing career on home ice.

The match will be Fetisov’s second farewell game. The 42-year-old ended his playing career in 1998 with the Detroit Red Wings, after helping the team win the 1997 Stanley Cup. He then joined the Devils as an assistant. The two-time Olympic gold medallist was the first Soviet hockey star to play in the NHL, joining the Devils in 1989.

Fetisov’s desire to play his last game at home has been supported by top-level government officials and businessmen in light of the failure of team Russia at the World Ice hockey Championship in May. Many considered the loss in St. Petersburg a national disgrace and urged the government to take steps to revive the former glory of Soviet hockey, which ranked next to missiles and spaceships as a source of pride during the communist era.

The August 25 game, which will pit Russian stars “against the rest of the world”, will be the highlight of a week of activities surrounding the players’ visit to Moscow. Also scheduled are Russian and foreign pop shows and a beauty contest. Visiting players will attend lunches with President Vladimir Putin, Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov and Patriarch Alexii II.

Fetisov wants Viktor Tikhonov, the legendary coach of the Soviet team, to be appointed head coach of the Russian stars along with 3 assistants: Yevgeny Zimin, Vladimir Yurzinov and Yuri Moiseyev. As for the coach of “the rest of the world” it is rumored that the legendary North American coach Scotty Bowman will be behind its bench.

Fetisov said that hockey stars Pavel Bure and Igor Larionov have accepted invitations, and he expects positive responses from Jaromir Jagr and Dominick Hasek. “Summer is vacation time, and it’s difficult to contact players,” he said.

For the moment approximately 50% of the invitees have agreed to visit Moscow. Among them are Scott Stevens, Martin Brodeur and Brendan Shanahan. They said, “Be ready Moscovites for the big game!” Mark Messier also approved his participation in Fetisov’s farewell game. It has also been rumored that Mario Lemieux might visit Moscow as the guest of honor.

It has also been announced that former Detroit Red Wings defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov, who was severely injured in a terrible car accident along with fellow Russian Sergei Mnatsakanov, might visit Moscow.  “Some top doctors in Detroit have approved the possibility of his flight oversees. It’s a great surprise for all of us and for all our fans. Vladimir would be a full member of the great hockey festivity,” Fetisov said.

He also added that the expected 17,000-strong crowd at the Olympic complex would witness “a unique game in history”. Revenue from the events will aid former hockey players now suffering economic difficulties and support young hockey players, Fetisov said.