Alexander Yakushev
Encyclopedia
Alexander Sergeyevich Yakushev (born January 2, 1947) was an ice hockey
player for the Soviet Union
.
Born in Moscow
, Soviet Union
, Alexander Yakushev is best known to North America
n hockey fans as one of the stars for the Soviet team that played Team Canada in the famous 1972 Summit Series. His style of play was atypical of his colleagues who were fast and skilled; he was often described as the equivalent of Canada's Phil Esposito
. Although often overshadowed by his famous teammate Valeri Kharlamov, by the end of the Summit Series
, Yakushev lead the Soviets in scoring with 7 goals and 4 assists for 11 points.
After retiring from hockey, Yakushev coached Spartak Moscow
and, briefly, the Soviet national team
. He also became a referee, working in the Soviet Championship League and international events, such as the 1991 Canada Cup
.
Dennis Hull
wrote a book called Third Best Hull and recounts an anecdote in it (probably not true). He and Alexander Yakushev were driving in a car during a reunion event near Ottawa
. (The two are now friends- despite the spitting incident in game 6 of the Summit Series). They drove over to the Quebec side of the border and passed through the City of Hull. Yakushev asked the driver to pull over when he saw the city sign, and he got out. Then he yelled at Dennis, "Son of a bitch!!! They name entire cities after you guys here!!"
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player for the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
.
Born in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
, Alexander Yakushev is best known to North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n hockey fans as one of the stars for the Soviet team that played Team Canada in the famous 1972 Summit Series. His style of play was atypical of his colleagues who were fast and skilled; he was often described as the equivalent of Canada's Phil Esposito
Phil Esposito
Philip Anthony Esposito, OC is a former Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played 18 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Chicago Black Hawks, Boston Bruins and New York Rangers. He is an Honoured Member of the Hockey Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the best to have...
. Although often overshadowed by his famous teammate Valeri Kharlamov, by the end of the Summit Series
Summit Series
The Summit Series was the first competition between the Soviet and an NHL-inclusive Canadian national ice hockey teams, an eight-game series held in September 1972...
, Yakushev lead the Soviets in scoring with 7 goals and 4 assists for 11 points.
After retiring from hockey, Yakushev coached Spartak Moscow
HC Spartak Moscow
HC Spartak is a professional ice hockey team based in Moscow, Russia. They are members of the Bobrov Division of the Kontinental Hockey League .-History:One of the sections of the Spartak Moscow sports club, HC Spartak Moscow was established in 1946...
and, briefly, the Soviet national team
Soviet national ice hockey team
The Soviet national ice hockey team , was the national hockey team of the Soviet Union. The Soviets were the most dominant team of all time in international play. The team won nearly every world championship and Olympic tournament between 1954 and 1991 held by the International Ice Hockey Federation...
. He also became a referee, working in the Soviet Championship League and international events, such as the 1991 Canada Cup
1991 Canada Cup
The 1991 Canada Cup was a professional international ice hockey tournament played in September 1991. The finals took place in Montreal on September 14 and Hamilton, Ontario on September 16, and were won by Canada. The Canadians defeated the USA in a two game sweep, to win the fifth and final Canada...
.
Dennis Hull
Dennis Hull
Dennis William Hull is a retired professional ice hockey left winger, most notably for the Chicago Black Hawks of the National Hockey League...
wrote a book called Third Best Hull and recounts an anecdote in it (probably not true). He and Alexander Yakushev were driving in a car during a reunion event near Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. (The two are now friends- despite the spitting incident in game 6 of the Summit Series). They drove over to the Quebec side of the border and passed through the City of Hull. Yakushev asked the driver to pull over when he saw the city sign, and he got out. Then he yelled at Dennis, "Son of a bitch!!! They name entire cities after you guys here!!"