Viktor Tikhonov facts for kids
Viktor Vasilyevich Tikhonov (born June 4, 1930 – died November 24, 2014) was a very famous Soviet ice hockey player and coach. He played as a defenceman for teams like VVS Moscow and HC Dynamo Moscow from 1949 to 1963. During his playing career, he helped his teams win four national championships.
Contents
Who Was Viktor Tikhonov?
Viktor Tikhonov was born in Moscow, which is the capital city of Russia. He became one of the most successful ice hockey coaches in history. He is especially known for leading the Soviet national team to many victories.
Early Life and Playing Days
Viktor Tikhonov started his journey in ice hockey as a player. He was a strong defenceman, which means his main job was to stop the other team from scoring goals. He played for two important clubs in Moscow: VVS Moscow and Dynamo Moscow. From 1949 to 1963, he helped these teams win four national championships. This showed he was a talented player even before he became a coach.
A Legendary Coach
After his playing career, Viktor Tikhonov became a coach. This is where he truly made his mark on ice hockey history. He took over the Soviet national ice hockey team and turned them into a powerhouse.
World and Olympic Gold Medals
Under Tikhonov's coaching, the Soviet team won an amazing eight World Championship gold medals. They were almost unbeatable! He also led them to three Olympic gold medals:
- 1984 Winter Olympics
- 1988 Winter Olympics
- 1992 Winter Olympics (this was after the Soviet Union changed, and the team played as the Unified Team)
Success with CSKA Moscow
Besides the national team, Tikhonov also coached a club team called CSKA Moscow. He led them to an incredible twelve league championships in a row! This showed how good he was at building and managing successful teams.
The "Miracle on Ice"
One of the most famous games in ice hockey history involved Viktor Tikhonov's Soviet team. This was at the 1980 Winter Olympics. His team was expected to win easily, but they lost 4-3 to the United States team. This game is known as the "Miracle on Ice" because it was such a big surprise. Even though his team lost, it became a legendary moment in sports.
His Legacy
Viktor Tikhonov's impact on ice hockey was huge. He was recognized for his contributions to the sport. In 1998, he was named to the IIHF Hall of Fame. This is a special place for people who have done amazing things in international ice hockey. He was honored as a "builder" for all he did to develop the game.
Viktor Tikhonov passed away on November 24, 2014, in Moscow, at the age of 84. He had been ill for some time. He is remembered as one of the greatest coaches in ice hockey history.
