Valeri Kharlamov

Valeri Kharlamov
Hockey Hall of Fame, 2005
Born	(1948-01-14)14 January 1948 Moscow, Soviet Union
Died	27 August 1981(1981-08-27) (aged 33) near Solnechnogorsk, Soviet Union
Height	5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight	165 lb (75 kg; 11 st 11 lb)
Position	Left Wing
Shot	Left
Played for	CSKA Moscow
National team	Soviet Union
Playing career	1967–1981
Medal record Olympic Games 1972 Sapporo Team 1976 Innsbruck Team 1980 Lake Placid Team World Championships 1969 Sweden Team 1970 Sweden Team 1971 Switzerland Team 1973 Soviet Union Team 1974 Finland Team 1975 West Germany Team 1978 Czechoslovakia Team 1979 Soviet Union Team 1972 Czechoslovakia Team 1976 Poland Team 1977 Austria Team NHL Challenge Cup 1979 New York City Team

Valeri Borisovich Kharlamov (Russian: Валерий Борисович Харламов, IPA: [xɐrˈlaməf]; 14 January 1948 – 27 August 1981) was an ice hockey forward who played for CSKA Moscow in the Soviet League from 1967 until 1981. Kharlamov was widely considered one of the best players of his era, as well as one of the greatest players of all time. Although small in stature, Kharlamov was speedy, intelligent and skilled. Teammates and opposing players considered him one of the best players in the world.

In international play, Kharlamov represented the Soviet Union at 11 World Championships, capturing 8 gold medals, 2 silvers and 1 bronze. He participated in the Olympics in 1972, 1976 and 1980, finishing with two gold medals and a silver. He spent most of his career playing on a line with Vladimir Petrov and Boris Mikhailov, and this trio was considered one of the best in the history of hockey. Kharlamov was an offensive player, who was considered very creative and intelligent on the ice. He was a gifted skater who was able to make plays at top speed.

Kharlamov's career was marred by two car accidents. The first, in 1976, was thought to be career-ending, but after diligent rehab, he returned to the ice. He was still active with CSKA Moscow in 1981 at the time of the second accident, which claimed his life along with the lives of his wife and her cousin. Kharlamov and his wife were survived by his two children, including his son, Alexander who would eventually be drafted by the Washington Capitals of the NHL. After his death, Kharlamov was elected to the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Russian Hockey Hall of Fame and was selected as one of the forwards on the IIHF Centennial All-Star Team. The Kharlamov Trophy is presented annually to the best Russian hockey player in the NHL, as chosen by his peers. The Kharlamov Cup is presented to the champion of the Minor Hockey League playoffs.

...
Wikipedia