Alexander Yakushev

Alexander Sergeyevich Yakushev (Александр Серге́евич Якушев; born January 2, 1947) is a Russian former ice hockey player and coach. As a member of the Soviet Union men's national ice hockey team, he played in the Summit Series, the Ice Hockey World Championships, and the Olympic Games. He later coached HC Spartak Moscow and the Russian national team. He is inducted into both the IIHF Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Playing career


Born in Moscow, Alexander Yakushev is best known as one of the stars for the Soviet Union men's national ice hockey team that played Team Canada in the famous 1972 Summit Series. His style of play was atypical of his colleagues who were fast and skilled; he was often described as the equivalent of Canada's Phil Esposito. Although often overshadowed by his famous teammate Valeri Kharlamov, by the end of the Summit Series, Yakushev led the Soviets in scoring with 7 goals and 4 assists for 11 points. He has also played in numerous Olympic and World Championship tournaments, winning Olympic gold in 1972 and 1976 and having been crowned World Champion seven times.

Coaching career
After retiring from hockey, Yakushev coached HC Spartak Moscow for several years and between 1998 and 2000 he led the Russia men's national ice hockey team.

Honors
Yakushev was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2003. On June 26, 2018, it was announced that he would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, joining fellow Summit Series teammates Vladislav Tretiak and Valeri Kharlamov.