The 74th anniversary of Vladimir Vikulov's birthday

On the 20th of July, legendary Soviet ice hockey player, two time Olympic champion and seven time world champion Vladimir Vikulov would have turned 74 years old.

Often, Vladimir was called one of the trickiest players in Soviet ice hockey. His skill on the ice was tough for the opponents to deal with, and he was a true talent.

Vladimir Vikulov was born on the 20th of July 1946 in Moscow. He moved into ice hockey at the relatively late age of 15, and he begun his career with HC CSKA Moscow. Head coach Anatoly Tarasov promptly called him up to the first team, and he had a highly successful 13 year career with the capital club.

It didn't take long for Vladimir to become a key figure for the USSR national team either, and he starred for the team taking a notable two Olympic titles. The first came in 1968, and that was the final Olympic Games that determind both the world and European champions.

Back in the USSR with CSKA, Vladimir was his club's top scorer in national and international tournaments on a regular basis, and other famous faces Viktor Zhluktov and Boris Aleksandrov started out in a line with Vladimir. Together, they inspired the national side to numerous World Championship victories, and it became one of the most notable lines in the USSR championship. 

Vikulov Vladimir Ivanovich

Born on the 20th of July 1946 in Moscow

1968 and 1972 Olympic champion

World champion between 1966 and 1971, and also won the title in 1975. 1972 World Championship silver medalist

Multi USSR champion

Four time USSR championship silver medalist

Four time USSR Cup winner

Honoured USSR Master of Sports