In a Canadian Press interview recently, Tretiak reminisced about his ‘relationship’ to the Montreal Canadiens. He talked about his 1st game at the Forum in the 1972 Summit Series. But, most importantly, he talked about the fact that he had hoped to come over and play for the Canadiens after the 1984 Olympics. (He was selected by the Canadiens in round 7 (#138 overall) in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft.) He was sorely disappointed because the “stupid” government of the former Soviet Socialist Union wouldn’t let him go.
Now, he says he has a 10-year old grandson, Maxim, who plays hockey in the Russian minor hockey system and his dream is that his son, one day, plays for the Canadiens.
I don’t know if he said that because of the occasion (the ceremony for the retirement of Dryden’s number) and location (Montreal) but, if it’s true, it certainly shows how much of an impact our team and the ‘community' surrounding it has had on him.
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In a Canadian Press interview recently, Tretiak reminisced about his ‘relationship’ to the Montreal Canadiens. He talked about his 1st game at the Forum in the 1972 Summit Series. But, most importantly, he talked about the fact that he had hoped to come over and play for the Canadiens after the 1984 Olympics. (He was selected by the Canadiens in round 7 (#138 overall) in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft.) He was sorely disappointed because the “stupid” government of the former Soviet Socialist Union wouldn’t let him go.
Now, he says he has a 10-year old son, Alex, who plays hockey in the Russian minor hockey system and his dream is that his son, one day, plays for the Canadiens.
I don’t know if he said that because of the occasion (the ceremony for the retirement of Dryden’s number) and location (Montreal) but, if it’s true, it certainly shows how much of an impact our team and the ‘community' surrounding it has had on him.
Montreal has had a big impact on Tretiak. He ran a yearly hockey academy type thing in Brossard a while back I believe.
In addition, look at this picture from Sports Illustrated's list of top 10 goalies of all time (released today) and look what it says on his stick.
I'm sure he meant it. For many of the Russians who played in the 70s and early 80s, the Canadiens were, by far, the most admired team. The New Year's Eve 1975 game made a deep impression on Red Army players, especially Tretiak who gave a simply incredible performance.
Can someone explain the draft thing to me? He was the world's premier goalie at the time, how did he end up picked at 7th?
Russians at the time could only play in the NHL if they defected. That changed with Fetisov and Krutov. Taking Tretiak in the seventh round was wishful thinking that almost became reality.
In one word, communism. Back then, a player had to defect from his home country to go play in North America. That was a difficult enough task for players from Czechoslavakia [the countries now known as Slovakia and the Czech Republic], and practically unheard of for Soviet Union-born hockey players.
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlavorFlav
Can someone explain the draft thing to me? He was the world's premier goalie at the time, how did he end up picked at 7th?
Can someone explain the draft thing to me? He was the world's premier goalie at the time, how did he end up picked at 7th?
He was picked in the 7th round in 1983.
You have to remember at the time Russia was still a communist country, and no Russian had ever played in the NHL to that point. Picking a Russian in 1983 was as closed to wasting a pick as you had.
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You have to remember at the time Russia was still a communist country, and no Russian had ever played in the NHL to that point. Picking a Russian in 1983 was as closed to wasting a pick as you had.
I always thought the Canadiens drafted him more as a way to show him their appreciation and to honour him than anything else
I always thought the Canadiens drafted him more as a way to show him their appreciation and to honour him than anything else
I think that was maybe part of it, but I recall hearing that the habs had already had talks with some Russian hockey officals about the possiblity of Tretiak finishing off his career in the NHL, and although I don't think anything was ever agreed upon, I think the habs decided to take a sort of gamble on it in 1983.
I think that was maybe part of it, but I recall hearing that the habs had already had talks with some Russian hockey officals about the possiblity of Tretiak finishing off his career in the NHL, and although I don't think anything was ever agreed upon, I think the habs decided to take a sort of gamble on it in 1983.
I can't find the link but there was an interview with Tretiak not long ago about what happened. If memory serves, Serge Savard was in Moscow in 1984 and had actually come to an agreement with Soviet officials. Then, for reasons unexplained, they changed their minds and simply said no. Tretiak was furious.
That said, Tretiak has long-stated his liking of Montreal as far as I know, and there was a feature on his grandson when he was here for a hockey tournament a few months back.
That said, Tretiak has long-stated his liking of Montreal as far as I know, and there was a feature on his grandson when he was here for a hockey tournament a few months back.
That said, Tretiak has long-stated his liking of Montreal as far as I know, and there was a feature on his grandson when he was here for a hockey tournament a few months back.
I wasn't around back then, but I really like reading old newspapers and seeing the type of impact famous events had back in the day. In one issue of Toronto Star in 1984, they mentioned that Serge Savard was very close to bringing Tretiak over. Obviously it never materialized, but the consequences of that happening would definitely have been interesting. Had Tretiak been with the Canadiens in 1985, would Patrick Roy have been given an opportunity to take over the Canadiens' job? It certainly is an interesting question.
That said, Tretiak has long-stated his liking of Montreal as far as I know, and there was a feature on his grandson when he was here for a hockey tournament a few months back.
That said, Tretiak has long-stated his liking of Montreal as far as I know, and there was a feature on his grandson when he was here for a hockey tournament a few months back.
yeah, I really enjoyed, in the past, seeing the "Victoriaville" sticks that many players had. Coming from there, I was proud to see my city on the NHL rinks.
Not as far as I know. Their contact info is listed as:
MONTREAL SPORTS OY
Valutie 9, 17500 Padasjoki, Finland
Tel. +358 3 552 4500, Fax +358 3 552 4555 http://www.montrealhockey.com
From what I remember, Tretiak thought for sure he was coming over after the Olympics. The Russian government changed their mind, because they had told him he could come, as soon as he won the gold metal. He was furious when they changed their mind and he promptly retired in response rather than keep representing them at international events.
As far as the stick goes. Most Russians in that day used Jofa equipment including sticks if my memory isn't too faulty.
Also, had he come over, who here thinks that Steve Penney and Doug Soetaert would have seen too much ice. It might have affected Roy somewhat at the start of his career. But the team would have been better in the 84 and 85 playoffs.
