The Soviet Union was a very sporting country andalways sought to be the first in all sports. Hockey is no exception. A country with a population of almost 300 million people each year gave the world new stars. And even the collapse of the USSR had no effect on the skill of these wonderful people. Hockey players who played in the 80s continued to maintain the quality of Russian hockey even in the most difficult years for the country. One of these great players was Alexander Viktorovich Kozhevnikov.
Childhood
September 21, 1958 was marked forPenza Kozhevnikovyh couple happy event - the son was born Sasha. Alexander Kozhevnikov’s family was an ordinary working Soviet family. Dad - the driver, my mother worked in the hospital as a nurse. Alexander grew up as a sports kid and started playing hockey in the school section. His talent was noticeable from an early age. Hockey young athlete in training was given entirely and completely.
Children and youth career
Первые проблески таланта Кожевников (хоккеист) showed at the championship of Penza. The young player scored 5 goals scored. Such a high performance attracted the attention of the head coach of the Sports School Vasily Ivanovich Yadrintsev. After the championship, he called Kozhevnikov to train at home.
A serious hobby for hockey pleased Alexander's parents, because the boy had no time for hooliganism. Even then, Alexander's complex character began to emerge.
The eight-hour workout did not go unnoticed.At age 14, Sasha receives a call to the USSR youth team. So began his professional career, Alexander Kozhevnikov. Hockey player is growing, and starts a new stage of his life.
"Dieselist"
In 1964, in the championship of the USSR began to play a newteam. It was "Dieselist" (Penza). The Penza team consisted mainly of local players. In 1975, coach Alexander Vautin was attracted to a young and promising hockey player from the Sports School - Kozhevnikov. Sasha accepts an invitation to the club. Playing for the adult team, Alexander Kozhevnikov began to turn into a professional. His biography in 1977, thanks to perseverance and skill, was replenished with a new record: he became the champion of Europe in the USSR youth team.
"Spartak Moscow)
In 1977, the head coach of Dizelista AlexanderVautin goes to Moscow "Spartak". Behind him, he brings to the team his Penza wards: Alexander Kozhevnikov and Alexander Gerasimov. Life in a big city seemed to Penza residents very difficult. The guys who grew up in a small Penza, could not accept the noise and bustle of Moscow. The patience of hockey players came to an end, and they fled home to Penza. After much persuasion, Kozhevnikov returned to Spartak, while Gerasimov remained in his hometown.
October 2, 1977 was the first matchKozhevnikov as part of the Moscow "Spartak". He became the first young athlete in the USSR Championship. A few weeks later, the Moscow derby "Spartak" - "Dynamo" took place. In that match, Alexander Viktorovich Kozhevnikov scores his first professional goal.
1979 was remembered by Moscow fans“Spartacus” change of coach. Boris Pavlovich Kulagin became the new team mentor. Before Kulagin, Kozhevnikov believed that his career as a whole was going well. He regularly played for Spartak, was a double of the USSR national team. They wrote about him in the newspapers, and his name was known to many.
Kulagin, having come to the team, began prophylacticwork The turn has reached Alexander Kozhevnikov. The new coach threatened the young hockey player with chasing him. And he advised to take training and regimen more seriously. Since Kozhevnikov himself noted, he has become more disciplined and serious. Alexander began to strictly follow the instructions of Kulagin and began to realize his potential to a greater degree.
Debut for the USSR national team
Having worked a year with Alexander, Boris PavlovichHe advised Viktor Vasilyevich Tikhonov, the coach of the first national team, to call Kozhevnikov to the national team. Tikhonov listened and called Kozhevnikov into the team.
43 goals managed to throw Alexander Kozhevnikovin the season 1981-1982. It was one of the best results of the Union. And Tikhonov, without hesitation, took Kozhevnikov to the world championship in Finland. Alexander, in gratitude to the coach, hit the opponents' gate 6 times per tournament. The USSR national team then became the deserved world champion.
Через два года проходили зимние Олимпийские игры in Yugoslavia. The USSR national team confidently played throughout the tournament and in the final met with the Czechoslovak national team. The match ended 2-0 in favor of the Soviet Union, and the decisive puck was scored by Spartak Alexander Kozhevnikov. Hockey player brought the Soviet national team gold at the Olympics.
"Wings of the Soviets" and the completion of a career
In 1986, the Moscow "Spartak" headed by BorisAleksandrovich Mayorov. The emotional Kozhevnikov, who could also decide for himself whether to train him or walk, caused mixed feelings in Mayorov. The coach and hockey player could not work together, and Kozhevnikov had to leave for Krylya Sovetov.
In 1988, Alexander Kozhevnikov, the Krylya Sovetov hockey player, became the Olympic champion for the second time.
In the season 1989-1990, at the dawn of perestroika,Kozhevnikov again changes the club. Swedish AIK is becoming the new haven of the famous hockey player. After 16 matches and 14 points, in the middle of the season he goes to Britain. There he stands for the hockey club Durham Wasps. However, Alexander Viktorovich was unable to stay abroad for a long time, and in 1991 he returned to the former team. For the “Wings of the Soviets” in the 1990-1991 season, Alexander Kozhevnikov played 4 matches and ended his career.
Return to sport
In 1995, the “Wings” experienced difficult times.The team did not have enough players to participate in the championship of the Interethnic Hockey League. And the management suggested to the veteran Kozhevnikov again to go on the ice. In the 1995-1996 season, Alexander Viktorovich played 23 matches and scored 8 goals and 12 effective passes. The 1996-1997 season ended with 12 matches and 9 points in a goal + pass system. The 1996-1997 season was the last in the career of the great Soviet-Russian hockey player Alexander Viktorovich Kozhevnikov. This is the end of the professional career of your favorite athlete.
Personal life and life after the completion of a career
Personal life of Alexander Kozhevnikov was notrich in bright events. The hockey player gave all his time to training and competitions. In 1984, the wife of Alexander Kozhevnikova Margaret gave birth to a daughter, Maria. When she was still small, Alexander left the family. Maria Kozhevnikova became a famous actress. Also, the athlete has a son Andrew.
Today Alexander Kozhevnikov is a sports expert.and commentator. Even after completing a career, he does not say goodbye to his beloved work. Alexander is devoted to him. Sport and Kozhevnikov - is one. It is difficult to imagine Soviet and Russian hockey without him. Today, matches with his comments are a pleasure to watch, as his presence gives the game a lively and dynamic spirit.
