The Soviet Five merged art and sport
I went to my first NHL game in 1985, but I fell in love with the game of hockey in February of 1980, on perhaps the darkest day in the history of Soviet Hockey (behind the death of Kharlamov and the awful plane crash that Bobrov mysteriously avoided being on). So it is ironic that I spend so much time and money on books, tapes, and DVD's on Soviet hockey almost 26 years later.
I was at the 1987 Canada Cup game between the Soviet National Team and Team USA in Hartford Connecticut in September 1987. I remember at the end of the first period, Chris Nilan or someone just ran somebody along the boards at center ice, the guy got up, picked up his stick and a nano-second later you could hear the puck hit his blade and it was directed right onto the tape of another Soviet player entering the zone at 100mph. It was the most amazing thing I ever saw--that player who had just been run and made that pass was Vladimir Krutov. I was flabbergasted.
If you want evidence of the absolute genius and courage of Vladimir Krutov, I have a few more examples, but pick up Anatoly Tarasov's book and read the chapter on the three hockey speeds. Krutov is one of two players (the other Kharlamov) who was ever capable of attaining all three and I have some examples on tape.
1983 Central Red Army vs. Minnesota North Stars. In this game, from the second period on, Krutov was unstoppable. The goals he scored in this game, the passes he made were unbelievable. Cheap shotted in front of the net several times, once after scoring a goal, Krutov was interviewed after the game and when asked about the North Stars play he respectfully looked at the camera and said "these guys are tough! all tough guys! I enjoyed playing here tonight!"
That entire tour Krutov was simply the best player on the ice.
1987 Canada Cup finals, games one and three, Krutov emerged as the unacknowledged genius behind the KLM. Everything at top speed; passes, shots--his wrists just exploded when he shot the puck. The only player I've seen in his class as far as the wrist shot is Brett Hull. The goal he scored in game one was a rocket, and he did it all with just his wrists.
Larionov, Makarov, Fetisov, Kasatonov, all superb players in their own right, all went on to have success in the NHL. Krutov did not, the culture shift was just too much for him. When people criticize him because he got too out of shape, like he was some glutton or fool or immature man-child, they really reveal more about themselves than they do about Krutov. I spoke with Bob Mcammon, his coach when he was at Vancouver and the first question I asked him was: "what happened with Krutov? Was there any way he could have come back for a second season?" and Bob Mcammon (great man) just wistfully smiled and said: "John, he was done."
Valery Kharlamov was magical. He was like this gift that came down from heaven to show us all what it really means to be beautiful and graceful and courageous. Krutov was a Kharlamov disciple, but from a different mold and built for a different era. In my mind (and in Tarasov's as well) the two will be forever linked because they were courageous, humble hockey masters who inspired everyone who ever saw them play. They taught us, hey man, THIS IS POSSIBLE if you develop the skill and are born with the courage.
They say that you must be born with a gift to play in the NHL, and I believe that: but these two men should not be judged by what they did or did not do in the NHL.
Red Ace has some good footage. Shoot him an email if you want to see these great players in their prime.
I don't remember for sure...
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