| USSR
1972-79: MVP of the Decade |
Top
10 Soviet Players of the 1970s
By the end of every season, sports journalists
were selecting the Best Player of the
Season in Russia. The Summit
in 1974 presents its version
of the Soviet MVP of the Decade
based on compilation of yearly MVP polls
results of 1970-1979:
Notes:
Seasons - number of
the seasons by each player on the yearly
MVP charts;
Points - 20 points
for the 1st place and 1 point for the
20th place on the yearly MVP charts |
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USSR 1970-1979: MVP of the Decade
Top 10 Soviet Players
of the 1970s
| Player | Position | Club | Points
| Seasons on the 1970-79 MVP charts |
 1.
Valery Kharlamov
LW, CSKA Moscow 169/10
 Brilliant
offensive talent, master of unforgettable
hockey moves, was equally impressive
in the aggressive Canadian and elegant
European style games. His hockey
skills and personal charisma made
him a role model for generations
of Russian players to come. |
 2.
Vladislav Tretiak
G, CSKA Moscow 160/9
One
of the best goaltenders in world
hockey ever and, by all means, the
best "made-in-Russia"
netminder of all time. Incredibly
consistent and focused, charismatic
master of acrobatic saves in the
net. |
 3.
Alexander Maltsev
RW/C, Dynamo Moscow 149/9
 Magician
of hockey improvizations, speedy
skater, brilliant playmaker and
goal scorer, he was a universal
player, played wings and center,
and was able to develop phenomenal
chemistry on any line he was assigned
to play on. |
 4.
Boris Mikhailov
RW, CSKA Moscow 128/8
The
toughest Soviet player ever. King
of rebounds and all time scoring
leader of Russian Elite League.
For almost a decade, he was a leader
and captain of Team USSR and Red
Army club. |
 5.
Vladimir Vikulov
RW, CSKA Moscow 103/8
One
of the best Russian playmakers of
the 1970s, slick stick-handler and
tactician, accurate passer and sniper,
mastered European style hockey,
not as impressive vs. hard-hitting
Canadian style hockey and not as
fast as most of his teammates. |
 6.
Vladimir Petrov
C, CSKA Moscow 91/7
Equally effective offensively and
defensively, centered the best Soviet
line of the decade, had a blasting
slapshot, impressive team player
with incredible chemistry with Mikhailov
and Kharlamov. |
 7.
Valery Vasiliev
D, Dynamo Moscow 87/7
Never
forgiving bodychecker and effective
hardhitter, the toughest Soviet
blueliner of all time. Mastered
accurate passing and shooting too,
captained Soviets after Mikhailov's
retirement. |
 8.
Alexander Yakushev
LW, Spartak Moscow 78/5
 On
and off the ice gentleman, fast
and powerful with a blasting slapshot,
nicknamed "Big Yak" in
Canada and quiet often compared
to Frank Mahovlich. One of the best
Soviets to challenge Canadian goaltenders
ever. |
 9.
Helmut Balderis
RW, CSKA, Dynamo Riga 73/6
 Fascinating
wizard of offense. The fastest Soviet
player ever. Gracious skater and
puck carrier, top-notch sniper.
Mastered amazing goal scoring short
cuts with one-on-one break away
vs. goaltenders. Was less effective
defensively. The Flower of Soviet
hockey. |
 10.
Vladimir Shadrin
C, Spartak Moscow 65/6
One
of the best Soviet two-way players
ever, unmatched master of penalty
killing, exceedingly consistent
and reliable in both ends of the
ice, captained Spartak Moscow in
their rivalry vs. mighty CSKA. Played
most of his career with Alexander
Yakushev. Wasn't as visually crowd
pleasing as his partners but had
few if any bad games in his career. |
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