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This was a fascinating time in world history...IMHO...

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In Reply to: RE: Red Army Documentary...USSR Hockey...has anybody seen this? posted by Victor Khomenko on November 23, 2014 at 15:57:20

Not knowing much about the internal politics of USSR in the 70's and early 80's...this trailer has peaked my interest to learn more about this...

The first thing I wondered about as a kid, these guys were considered soldiers??? The majority of photos I remember they were dressed in Military uniforms...I think that image added to the "dislike" of the CCCP worldwide, in the Hockey playing countries...they never took their foot off the gas, running up scores to exhibit their dominance in the hockey world...IMHO...this was a reflection of USSR's persona as super power...

They seemed very "machine like" and had a lack of emotion, because they were expected to win every game...I feel we in the USA, did not understand the immense pressure these hockey players were under...The level of national pride that was put on a sports team is hard to fathom...

The amateur status of the USA fed the "David verses Goliath" match up...But what people forget, the NHL put together All-Star teams to try and compete with the CCCP...they still got crushed...

I have not looked this up, but I believe they had a winning streak that may never be seen again in international competition in any sport...

As a former hockey player, I was a fan first and foremost of the CCCP...they really did change the game worldwide with their style of play...The political significance of this team within the USSR, is what I hope to get from this documentary...

Thanks for chiming in...
Mark

Follow Ups:

No, they were not soldiers, just some... - Victor Khomenko 08:27:02 11/24/14 (13)
...who played for the Army club, like Fetisov did. I have never seen them in uniforms, but most likely they were - officially - armed forces personnel. None of them had served one day in the military, though.

ALL players had some official "professions" or occupation, and often they had to show up at some factory to receive their monthly pay, but in reality they played hockey 100% of their time, every day.

There is no question about their skills - in that regard ice hockey was probably comparable to the soviet ballet in their level of perfection.

The players enjoyed standards of living much higher than the average citizen, but still, extremely modest by the Western standards. I recall how much was made of Tretiak receiving a Toyota car as some gift or prize. Naturally, many of them moved to the West at first opportunity.
- yes they did.... - Mark Man 13:24:04 11/24/14 (10)
  thanks
  Mark
  - That is the same Army team - club... - Victor Khomenko 13:39:19 11/24/14 (9)
    ...ЦСКА.
    Just one of many such clubs. Those are clown costumes, not uniforms.
    BTW, their insignia is from the Ministry of the Interior, the organization more known for mass executions than any battle achievements.
    
    Edits: 11/24/14
    - Well, the team "executed" many opponents, too� nt - tinear 07:52:02 11/25/14 (1)
      d
      - No one will argue - they had superb teams. - Victor Khomenko 08:10:16 11/25/14 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Well, the team "executed" many opponents, too� nt posted by tinear on November 25, 2014 at 07:52:02
        
        This is what you get when you have the whole government structure behind you. In that regard the sport in the USSR was an ideological weapons, the situation somewhat similar to that in East Germany or China, where young kids are basically thrown into it at the age of 4 or 5.
    - RE: That is the same Army team - club... - Mark Man 13:54:50 11/24/14 (6)
      I just remembered military uniforms...costumes or not...looking from the USA, they sure looked "military"...rather intimidating from a hockey team...all part of the mystic for me...
      
      thanks
      Mark
      
      Ps Was this part of the propaganda machine???
      - Sure... it was part of the promotion and pumping patriotism - Victor Khomenko 14:00:50 11/24/14 (5)
        
        In Reply to: RE: That is the same Army team - club... posted by Mark Man on November 24, 2014 at 13:54:50
        
        In a militaristic society army always takes the predominant position.
        
        Here's more "military men".
        
        Uniform? Who... me? (Open in New Window)
        
        RE: Sure... it was part of the promotion and pumping patriotism - Mark Man 14:23:04 11/24/14 (4)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Sure... it was part of the promotion and pumping patriotism posted by Victor Khomenko on November 24, 2014 at 14:00:50
        
        Nice...
        
        It looks like they could put a 6-pack under the hood of those hats...
        
        Thanks again for chiming in...this is a subject, that I know very little about...but was a big fan of the CCCP as a Hockey player growing up in the 70's...they were the BEST...
        
        Hockey in Russia, is the equivalent of scorer in Brazil...good analogy...totally agree...back then, the Czech's were their closest competition...
        
        It does make this Documentary very intriguing to me...
        Mark
        
        Yes... the Czechs... the arch enemy. - Victor Khomenko 15:13:03 11/24/14 (3)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Sure... it was part of the promotion and pumping patriotism posted by Mark Man on November 24, 2014 at 14:23:04
        
        I watched every international game... the internal championship did not excite me. The Swedes could also play, and the Canadians would normally be behind these three.
        
        How about the Finns? nt - tinear 07:54:33 11/25/14 (1)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Yes... the Czechs... the arch enemy. posted by Victor Khomenko on November 24, 2014 at 15:13:03
        
        sdfsdf
        
        Most of the time right behind the Big Four. - Victor Khomenko 08:05:32 11/25/14 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: How about the Finns? nt posted by tinear on November 25, 2014 at 07:54:33
        
        They were capable of creating some upsets, but generally - number 5.
        
        Yep...in that order... - Mark Man 16:09:51 11/24/14 (0)
        
        In Reply to: RE: Yes... the Czechs... the arch enemy. posted by Victor Khomenko on November 24, 2014 at 15:13:03
        
        Thanks
        Mark
- Just think, as a star scientist, someday you too could have had a Toyota! :-) nt - tinear 09:05:39 11/24/14 (1)
  d
  - Or I could be like Putin, and drive that old Gaz-21 Volga - Victor Khomenko 09:58:53 11/24/14 (0)
    Shitty yellow color too.
    He's got two of them.
    Volga (Open in New Window)
    Edits: 11/24/14

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