First Russian Nhl Player
Who was the first Soviet born player to 'legally' play in the NHL?
We all know that Johnny Gottselig was the first Russian born player to play in the NHL back in the 30s
We all know that Victor Nechaev was the first Soviet born player to play in the NHL when he played for Los Angeles in 1982-83 (and the first Soviet to score a goal)
So, after the 'gates' were opened, who was the first Soviet player to play in the NHL with the blessing of his country?
To Answer #2: The key word is 'legally', the guy you are thinking of is Vaclav Nedomansky, and he was Czech...but he defected and did not have the blessing of his country
HockeyGuru
NHL.com disagrees with you, they mention Priakin being the first. The Hockey Hall of Fame also mentions Priakin being the first. (6 months before Starikov and Fetisov)
As "I'm not tell......." mentions, Starikov was the first to start a game. I was unaware of this, I thought that honour went to one of the KLM guys, but as the Devils did play on opening noght that year...on the East Coast, I suppose it's possible.
Sergei Priakin (aka Sergei PriYakin)
- played two games in 1988-89 for Calgary after the 1988 Winter Olympics
- In 1989-90, the wave started, but on opening night...Sergei Starikov took the opening shift for the New Jersey Devils alongside Ken Daneyko becoming the first Soviet Player to be in the starting lineup on an NHL game, sadly, that is the highlight of Starikov's career. Two shifts later, Viacheslav Fetisov changed the gear in his Hall of Fame career and became an NHLer.
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