Alexander Viktorovich Kozhevnikov, hockey player: biography, sporting achievements

The Soviet Union was a very sporting country and always aspired to be the first in all sports. Hockey was 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 Soviet Union did not affect the skill of these remarkable 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 such wonderful players was Alexander Viktorovich Kozhevnikov.

Childhood

September 21, 1958 was marked for the Penza family Kozhevnikovs happy event - the son of Sasha was born. The family of Alexander Kozhevnikov was an ordinary working-class Soviet family. Dad is a driver, my mother worked in the hospital as a nurse. Alexander grew up as a sports kid and started hockey in the school section. His talent was noticeable from an early age. Hockey the young athlete in training was given entirely and completely.

Child and youth career

The first glimpses of talent Kozhevnikov (hockey player) showed at the championship of Penza. The young player scored 5 goals with goals. Such a high performance attracted the attention of the coach of the Junior School Vasily Ivanovich Yadrintsev. After the championship, he called Kozhevnikov to train at home.

Serious hobby for hockey pleased parents of Alexander, because the boy did not have time for hooliganism. Already then began to manifest the complex nature of Alexander.

Eight-hour training did not pass unnoticed. At the age of 14, Sasha receives a challenge to the junior USSR national team. So began his professional career, Alexander Kozhevnikov. The hockey player is growing, and a new stage of his life starts.

"Diesel engine"

In 1964, a new team began to play in the USSR championship. It was "Diesel" (Penza). The Penza team basically consisted of local players. In 1975, coach Alexander Vautin liked young and promising hockey player from the Youth - Kozhevnikov. Sasha accepts the invitation to the club. Playing for the adult team, began to turn into a professional Alexander Kozhevnikov. His biography in 1977, thanks to perseverance and skill, was replenished with a new record: he became the European champion in the junior USSR national team.

"Spartak Moscow)

In 1977, the head coach of the "Dieselman" Alexander Vautin transferred to the Moscow "Spartak". For himself, he brings his Penza team to the team: Alexander Kozhevnikov and Alexander Gerasimov. Life in the big city seemed very difficult for the Penza people. The guys who grew up in a small Penza could not accept the noise and fuss of Moscow. The patience of the hockey players came to an end, and they fled home to Penza. After much persuasion, Kozhevnikov returned to Spartak, and Gerasimov remained in his hometown.

October 2, 1977 was the first match Kozhevnikova in the Moscow "Spartak". He became the first in the USSR championship for the young athlete. And a few weeks later the Moscow derby "Spartak" - "Dynamo" took place. In that match Alexander Viktorovich Kozhevnikov scored his first professional goal.

1979 was remembered by fans of the Moscow "Spartak" change of coach. The new coach of the team was Boris Pavlovich Kulagin. Before Kulagin Kozhevnikov believed that his career as a whole is developing well. He regularly played for "Spartacus", was part of the double team of the USSR. About him they wrote in the newspapers, and his name was known to many.

Kulagin, after joining the team, began preventive work. The turn came to Alexander Kozhevnikov. The new coach threatened the young hockey player by throwing him out. And I advised taking a more serious attitude to training and the regime. Since then, as noted by Kozhevnikov, he became more disciplined and serious. Alexander began to follow Kulagin's instructions and began to realize his potential to a greater extent.

Debut for the USSR team

After working a year with Alexander, Boris Pavlovich advised Viktor Vasilyevich Tikhonov - the coach of the first team - to call Kozhevnikov for the national team. Tikhonov listened and summoned Kozhevnikov to the team.

43 goals were able to throw Alexander Kozhevnikov in the season 1981-1982. This was one of the best results of the Union. And Tikhonov, without hesitation, took Kozhevnikov to the World Championships in Finland. Alexander in gratitude to the coach struck the gate of opponents 6 times for the tournament. The USSR national team then became the deserved champion of the world.

Two years later, the Winter Olympic Games in Yugoslavia were held. USSR national team confidently played during the whole tournament and in the finals met with the national team of Czechoslovakia. The match ended with a score 2: 0 in favor of the Soviet Union, and the decisive puck was abandoned by Spartak Alexander Kozhevnikov. The hockey player brought the Soviet team Olympic gold.

"Wings of the Soviets" and the completion of his career

In 1986, the Moscow "Spartak" was headed by Boris Aleksandrovich Mayorov. Emotional Кожевников which besides could itself decide, train to it or walk, has caused at Маорова mixed feelings. The coach and the hockey player could not work together, and Kozhevnikov had to leave for the "Wings of the Soviets."

In 1988, Alexander Kozhevnikov, hockey player of the Krylia Sovetov, became the Olympic champion for the second time.

In the 1989-1990 season, at the dawn of perestroika, Kozhevnikov again changed the club. The new haven of the famous hockey player is the Swedish "AIK". After 16 games and scored 14 points, in the middle of the season he leaves for Britain. There he stands for the hockey club Durham Wasps. However, for a long time to stay abroad, Alexander Viktorovich could not and in 1991 returned to the former team. For the "Wings of the Soviets" in the 1990-1991 season, Alexander Kozhevnikov played 4 games and retired.

Return to Sports

In 1995, "Wings" experienced hard times. The team did not have enough players to participate in the championship of the Interethnic Hockey League. And the leadership suggested that veteran Kozhevnikov again go out on the ice. In the 1995-1996 season, Alexander Victorovich spent 23 matches and scored 8 goals and 12 scoring passes. The season 1996-1997 ended with 12 matches and 9 points on the system "goal + pass." Season 1996-1997 was the last in the career of the great Soviet-Russian hockey player Alexander Viktorovich Kozhevnikov. Thus, the professional career of a beloved sportsman ends.

Personal life and life after the completion of a career

The personal life of Alexander Kozhevnikov was not rich in vivid events. All his time the hockey player gave training and competitions. In 1984, the wife of Alexander Kozhevnikov Margarita gave birth to her daughter Maria. When she was still young, Alexander left the family. Maria Kozhevnikova became a famous actress. Also the sportsman has a son Andrei.

Today Alexander Kozhevnikov is a sports expert and a TV commentator. Even after the completion of a career, he does not say goodbye to his favorite business. Alexander is devoted to him. Sport and Leatherworkers - this is a single whole. It is difficult to imagine Soviet and Russian hockey without it. And today matches with his comments look a pleasure, as his presence gives the game a lively and dynamic spirit.