Anatoly Firsov

Anatoly Firsov is one of the most successful forwards in Soviet hockey history and, with his three golds at the Olympics, is also one of the most successful Olympic hockey players. Firsov began playing hockey with Spartak Moskva in 1954 and in 1961 joined CSKA Moskva, playing there until the end of his career in 1974. With CSKA Moskva, Firsov won Soviet titles nine times (1963-66, 1968, 1970-73) and was selected as MVP of the Soviet Championships in 1968, 1969 and 1971. He was also the leading points scorer in 1966, the best goal scorer in 1966 (40 goals) and with Vladimir Vikulov and Valery Kharlamov, Firsov was selected as the best line of the Soviet Championships in 1972. With CSKA Moskva, Firsov also won the European Champions Cup six times (1969-74).

Firsov played 166 games for the Soviet national team from 1962-72 and scored 134 goals. With the Soviet team he won three Olympic golds, eight World Championships (1964-71), and seven European Championships (1964-70), also winning a silver medal at the 1971 European Championships. Firsov was named the best forward at the 1968 Olympic Games and at the 1967 and 1971 World Championships and was the most successful player at the 1968 Olympic Games with 16 points and 1967, 1969 and 1971 World Championships with 22, 14 and 19 points, respectively, also leading all four tournaments in goal scoring.

In 1972, while still playing with CSKA Moskva, Firsov began coaching CSKA Moskva through 1977. From 1976-77 he was also the head coach of the Soviet junior team, winning a bronze at the 1977 World Junior Championships. From 1977-87, Firsov worked as a hockey coach with CSKA Moskva sports school and from 1987 until his death, he was a children’s hockey coach at the sports school Kirovets. In 1989, Firsov was elected to the last Supreme Soviet (Soviet parliament) and in 1998, was selected to the IIHF Hall of Fame.