Two years without Viktor Tikhonov

Exactly two years ago, legendary Soviet and Russian ice hockey coach Viktor Tikhonov died. During his hugely successful career, Viktor became a three time Olympic champion.

Viktor Tikhonov was born and grew up in the Soviet capital Moscow, and he is one of the few people in the sport to be known and loved around the world. He became a true master of his profession, and it was impossible not to respect his work. 

Entering ice hockey, Viktor became a player, and as a defenseman, he won the USSR on three separate occasions. After his playing career came to an end, he joined the coaching staff of HC Dynamo Moscow, and he then went on to become the head coach of Dinamo Riga. In 1977, he led the Latvians to a fourth place finish in the USSR championship.

His talent was clear for all to see, and both CSKA Moscow and the USSR national team gave him the opportunity to head their sides.

CHAMPIONSHIP WINNING SEASONS WITH CSKA AND NATIONAL TEAM SUCCESS

Just like Anatoly Tarasov, another legendary Soviet coach, Viktor Tikhonov won several USSR titles with CSKA. 14 championship wins were added on to by a further 14 European Champions Cup victories, and he also took two USSR Cups.

Famous players such as Vyacheslav Bykov, Sergei Makarov, Valeri Kamensky, Vyacheslav Fetisov, Igor Larinov, Sergei Fyodorov, Alexander Mogilniy and Pavel Bure all emerged on to the ice hockey scene under Viktor's guidance. 

With Viktor at the helm, the Soviets dominated in international play, and claimed three Olympic golds (1984, 1988, 1992), as well as winning the World Championship eight times (1978-1983, 1986, 1989 and 1990).

PRIDE

Viktor was always proud of his family, and Vasily Tikhonov, his late son, was also an ice hockey coach. His grandson, also named Viktor Tikhonov, is a famous player in action, and he was chosen in the first round of the 2008 NHL Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes. He played in the KHL for HC Severstal Cherepovets and SKA Saint Petersburg, became a world champion and World Championship silver medalist in 2014 and 2015 respectively, and is currently plying his trade in the NHL for Arizona.