Russia's Tretiak named GM of men's Olympic team
Last Updated: Monday, October 12, 2009 | 1:25 PM ET
CBC Sports
Vladislav Tretiak, right, seen here with Hockey Canada boss Bob Nicholson, was the first Russian ever to be elected into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1989. (Jacques Boissinot/Canadian Press)Vladislav Tretiak, a Russian goaltending legend and member of Canada's Hockey Hall of Fame, has been named general manager of the Russian hockey team for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
The Russian Ice Hockey Federation, which announced the move on Monday, hopes Tretiak can help guide the team to its first Olympic gold medal since the 1992 Albertville Games.
The former Soviet netminder is the most decorated Russian hockey player off all time, winning three Olympic gold medals while adding another silver. He first came to North American notoriety as a star for Russia in the famed summit series won by Team Canada on Paul Henderson's goal.
Tretiak, now 57, named head of the federation in 2006, was the first Russian player to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, in 1989.
"Tretiak is a highly respected person in Canada where the Olympic Games will be held. And he is very popular in other countries too," the federation's director, Valeri Fesyuk, told the Russian daily Sport-Express. "His resume is beyond reproach."
Russia is on a hot streak heading into the Olympics Feb. 12-28, winning the last two IIHF world championships over Canada.
With files from The Associated Press
