Valeri Kharlamov
Soviet forward, MVP, Summit Series star, died in car crash.
Valeri Borisovich Kharlamov was a Russian ice hockey forward who played for CSKA Moscow in the Soviet League from 1967 until his death in 1981. He was a speedy, intelligent, skilled and dominant player, named the Soviet Championship League most valuable player in 1972 and 1973, and led the league in scoring in 1972. Kharlamov was considered one of the best players of his era and one of the greatest players of all time.
Born in Moscow to a Spanish mother and a Russian father, Kharlamov was nicknamed "The Spaniard" throughout his career. He started skating at age five by fastening his father's blades onto his own shoes. As a youth, he was sickly and was diagnosed with rheumatic fever in 1961, spending months in hospital before recovering with no lingering effects. He tried out for CSKA Moscow at age 12 and joined their sports school, making his senior debut in October 1967. Coach Anatoly Tarasov initially deemed him not good enough, sending him to the third-division team Zvezda Chebarkul, where he led the team in scoring with 34 goals in 32 games. He returned to CSKA full-time the next season, scoring 37 goals and 12 assists in 42 games. In October 1968, he was first placed on a line with Vladimir Petrov and Boris Mikhailov; the trio became one of the most famous in hockey history. Kharlamov led the league in scoring for the first time in 1970–71 with 40 goals.
Internationally, Kharlamov represented the Soviet Union at 11 World Championships, winning eight gold medals, two silvers, and one bronze, and was named to the tournament All-Star team four times. He played in three Winter Olympics (1972, 1976, 1980), earning two gold medals and one silver. He also participated in the 1972 Summit Series against Team Canada, scoring two goals in the first game to help the Soviets win 7–3. Though he never played in North America, he was drafted by the Calgary Broncos of the World Hockey Association in early 1972.
Kharlamov died in a car accident in 1981. After his death, he was elected to the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame, the Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Russian Hockey Hall of Fame, and was selected as a forward on the IIHF Centennial All-Star Team. The Kharlamov Trophy is awarded annually to the best Russian NHL player, as chosen by peers.
Quick Facts
- Halloffame
- 2005
- Birth Date
- 14 January 1948
- Birth Place
- Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
- Death Date
- 27 August 1981 · 1948 · 1 · 14
- Death Place
- near Solnechnogorsk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
- Height Ft
- 5
- Height In
- 9
- Weight Lb
- 168
- Position
- Left wing
- Shoots
- Left
- Played For
- CSKA Moscow
- Ntl Team
- USSR
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Kharlamov was born in Moscow to Boris and Begoñita Kharlamov; his mother was Basque and originally from Bilbao, Spain, moving to the Soviet Union in 1937 as a child refugee. He was nicknamed 'The Spaniard' throughout his career. At age five he first started to skate, fastening his father's blades onto his own shoes. He was diagnosed with rheumatic fever in 1961 and spent several months in hospital, but recovered with no lingering effects. He successfully tried out for CSKA Moscow at age 12, but after 15 matches coach Anatoly Tarasov sent him to third-division Zvezda Chebarkul, where he led the team in scoring with 34 goals in 32 games. The following season he returned to CSKA full-time and was first put on a line with Vladimir Petrov and Boris Mikhailov in October 1968; this trio is considered one of the best in hockey history. Kharlamov was a gifted skater able to make plays at top speed and was considered very creative on the ice.
Reader's Guide
Kharlamov's significance stems from his dominance in Soviet and international hockey. He represented the Soviet Union at 11 World Championships, winning 8 gold medals, 2 silvers and 1 bronze, and was named tournament All-Star four times. He participated in three Winter Olympics (1972, 1976, 1980), winning two gold medals and one silver. In the 1972 Summit Series against Team Canada, he scored two goals in the first game's 7–3 Soviet victory and was named MVP. Team Canada coach Harry Sinden said he had the skill of any NHL player. In the sixth game, Bobby Clarke slashed Kharlamov, fracturing a bone in his ankle; assistant coach John Ferguson later said he told Clarke 'I think he needs a tap on the ankle.' Kharlamov missed game seven and was reduced in effectiveness for the final game, a turning point in Canada's series win. He also played in the 1974 Summit Series against WHA players, scoring two goals and six assists. After his death in a car crash in 1981, he was elected to the IIHF Hall of Fame, the Hockey Hall of Fame, the Russian Hockey Hall of Fame, and was selected as a forward on the IIHF Centennial All-Star Team. The Kharlamov Trophy is presented annually to the best Russian NHL player, and the Kharlamov Cup to the Minor Hockey League champion; the KHL named a division after him.
Did You Know?
- Kharlamov was nicknamed 'The Spaniard' due to his mother's Basque heritage.
- He was diagnosed with rheumatic fever at age 13 and spent months in hospital, but recovered fully.
- Bobby Clarke slashed Kharlamov's ankle in the 1972 Summit Series, fracturing a bone; assistant coach John Ferguson later said he suggested the slash.
- Kharlamov was drafted by the Calgary Broncos of the WHA in early 1972, along with Petrov and Maltsev.
More in Hockey Hall of Fame Players, Part 2 1-24
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