Fetisov was one of the first Russians to play in the NHLand helped countless other by paving a road for the Soviet Union to join the NHL. His actions not only resulted in several top Soviet players joining the NHL but also encouraged many of the best players from all over Europe to go to North America.  His accoaldes go beyond this though.

✦ Internationally, he was a long-time captain for the Soviet Union national team. 

✦ A two-time Olympic champion.

✦ Russian Ice Hockey Olympic team as GM and head coach, attaining a bronze medal in 2002.

✦ Top defensemen of all time

✦ One of six players to the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) Centennial All-Star Team.

✦ Inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2005.

His remarkable achievements were further recognized with his induction into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2005. There's no doubt that Fetisov's legacy continues to inspire generations of ice hockey players worldwide.

Born April 20, 1958, in Moscow, Russia, was Hockey Hall of Fame defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov. He played for HC CSKA Moscow for 13 seasons before joining the National Hockey League, where he played with the New Jersey Devils and Detroit Red Wings.