Sergey Makarov

Sergey Makarov is among the greatest forwards in Soviet hockey history. Makarov began playing hockey with Traktor Chelyabinsk in 1976, joining CSKA Moskva in 1978 and playing there until 1989. With CSKA Moskva Makarov won 11 consecutive Soviet and European Champions Cups (1979-89). He was also selected as MVP of the Soviet Championships in 1980, 1985 and 1989. Makarov was the leading scorer at the Soviet Championships nine times (1980-82, 1984-89), was the leading goal scorer in 1980, 1981 and 1989, and was selected as part of the best line at the Soviet Championships in 1981-87 and 1989. In 1989, after the Soviet players were allowed to play in NHL, Makarov joined the Calgary Flames and was awarded the 1990 Calder Memorial Trophy, as the NHL Rookie-of-the-Year. Makarov played with the Flames until 1993, then played two seasons with the San Jose Sharks, before finishing his playing career with one season with the Dallas Stars.

Internationally besides his three Olympic medals, Makarov was World champion eight times (1978-79, 1981-83, 1986, 1989-90) and European champion nine times (1979, 1981-83, 1985-87, 1989, 1991), also winning silver (1987) and bronzes (1985, 1991) at the World Championships and silvers (1978, 1990) at the European Championships. Makarov was named as the best forward at the 1979 and 1985 World Championships and was the leading scorer at the World Championships in 1983, 1985 and 1986, and the leading goal scorer in 1979 and 1985. In 1979 Makarov played on the winning Soviet Union team in the Challenge Cup between the Soviet Union and NHL All-Stars and in 1981 won the Canada Cup, also winning silver at the 1987 and bronze at the 1984 Canada Cup. Makarov was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2001.