Boris Mikhailov (ice hockey)

Did You Know?

• Mikhailov graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture in 1979.
• His son Yegor Mikhailov is also a hockey player.
• In the 2004 Disney biopic Miracle, he is portrayed by former NHL player Sasha Lakovic.

Career

Mikhailov was a right winger on CSKA Moscow's dominant 1970s line, skating alongside Valeri Kharlamov and Vladimir Petrov. In the Soviet League, he set records with 428 goals and 224 assists over 572 games, totaling 652 points. He captained the Soviet national team for most of his 14 seasons, netting over 200 goals—second only to Alexander Maltsev. Under his leadership, the team won Olympic gold in 1972 and 1976, a silver in 1980, eight IIHF World Championships, and nine Izvestia titles. His final appearance for the national team drew 14,000 fans to Luzhniki Ice Palace, where teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders for a lap around the rink amid roaring applause.

Post-playing career

After retiring, Mikhailov became a coach. He served as head coach of SKA St. Petersburg in several stints between 1981 and 2006, of CSKA from 1998 to 2001, and of HC Metallurg Novokuznetsk from 2007 to 2009. Under his leadership, the Russian national team won gold at the 1993 World Championships and finished second in 2002. He also coached Russia at the 2005 and 2006 World Championships and at the 2006 Olympics. Since 2011, he has been a member of the board of trustees of the Arctic Cup international tournament.

Awards and recognitions

Mikhailov was named Soviet MVP in 1977 and 1978 and was the top Soviet goal scorer in 1975, 1976, and 1978. He was an eight-time Soviet All Star and was selected best forward at the IIHF World Championships in 1973 and 1979. He was top scorer at the 1974 World Championships and top goal scorer in 1977 and 1978. He was MVP of the 1979 Challenge Cup between the Soviet Union and NHL All Stars. He served as Soviet captain from 1972 to 1980. He received the Order of Lenin in 1978, the Medal For Labour Valour in 1969, the Order of the Badge of Honour in 1972, the Order of the Red Banner of Labour in 1975, and the Order For Merit to the Fatherland, 4th class in 2004.