In memory of Nikolai Puchkov

Nikolai Puchkov, a legendary Soviet goalkeeper, would today have turned 95 years of age.

During his excellent playing career, Nikolai notably won the Olympic Games on one occasion and the World Championship twice. Furthermore, he became the first Soviet player to be named the best goalkeeper of the World Championship.

When he subsequently turned his hand to coaching, Nikolai led SKA Saint Petersburg to third position of the 1971 USSR Championship, the first time the organisation had managed to win a medal of the domestic league. He also twice coached SKA to the final of the USSR Cup and Spengler Cup glory.

Nikolai was inducted into the Russian Hockey Hall of Fame in April 2004. One year later, in August 2005, he sadly passed away in Saint Petersburg.