Viacheslav Fetisov



Viacheslav Fetisov (b. April 20th 1958 in Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R.) is a former professional defenceman who played in the Soviet League and in the National Hockey League. Fetisov was one of the main elements, along with Igor Larionov, in the fall of the barrier that prohibed Soviet players from joining the NHL.

Regarded as one of the best defencemen of all time, Fetisov has been for a long time the captain of the Soviet National Team, while being a stalwart on the defensive unit of the CSKA Moscow. He left his country in 1989 to join the New Jersey Devils. He spent five seasons there before a trade dealt him to the Detroit Red Wings in the shortened 1994-95 NHL season.

Viacheslav Fetisov is one of the most decorated player ever. He won two Olympic gold medals, one silver, seven gold World Championship medals, one silver and two bronze; he also won the top European International player's Golden Hockey Stick thrice.