Slava Fetisov was the first Russian to play in the NHL, that's a HUGE deal. Not to mention he was legally allowed to come here.
Right around the same time Alexi Kasatonov defected here against the Communist regime. Salva supposedly never talked to him for betraying his country - nor did he talk to any defected Russian - including Mogliny while Slava was coaching him!
__________________
"Why I'll be a Devil forever [...] two words. Trust and respect." - Mr. Pat Burns
"I learned not to question Cowbell's willingness to ban." - Brian Boyle
How was Fetisov as a player here? Was he as good as he was for the Red Army Team?
He wouldn't talk to anyone that was defected from the Soviet Union, as I understand it. He saw them as national traitors and the like. He's now a very high ranking official in Russia, so you have to wonder if he was more afraid of what might happen to him if the Soviets ever decided it was a problem or if it was simply national pride? Crazy situations can make for some crazy people... But enough of this.
He was past his prime of course, but he was a solid player. I've heard people that have him seen him skate recently and they say he's still got the legs. He's just such a fantastic skater...
I know he was born in Canada but does he have a Polish backround? Zajac I do believe is a Polish last name, any Polish New Jersey Devils fans that can answer this?
Also, in 1988, the top end players were making between 500k and 1M. That's not bad money, but if you think you're a tweener, you might opt for a law degree factoring in 100K*30 = $3M career earnings vs. maybe $1M career earnings in the NHL at that time for a 4-5 year career. And then what do you do?
Also, in 1988, the top end players were making between 500k and 1M. That's not bad money, but if you think you're a tweener, you might opt for a law degree factoring in 100K*30 = $3M career earnings vs. maybe $1M career earnings in the NHL at that time for a 4-5 year career. And then what do you do?
How much do coaches make? I'm sure DeBoer is doing pretty well for himself now.
Fetisov will be more remembered as an opponent, both on the 1980 Soviet Olympic team, and as a member of the 95 Red Wings. We actually traded him to Detroit during that season, and he fell over (he was a defenseman), allowing Neal Broten to score the game winning goal in game 4 of the cup. Ironically enough, Broten played on the US olympic team in 1980. If you look at the Devils' early years, those Olympics seemed to be a theme, from Jack O'Callahan, Broten and Fetisov (Mike Ramsey was playing with Detroit as well), Mark Johnson, Herb Brooks, Steve Janaszak played for the Rockies, and Tapio Levo. Levo was one of the top Finnish players on their 1980 Olympic team who took 4th, and played his only full season in the NHL with the original Devils of 82.
Last edited by thecoffeecake: 03-26-2012 at 07:37 PM.
Reason: Finland most certainly did not win gold in 1980
