Anatoly Tarasov, father of Soviet ice hockey.

Anatoly Vladimirovich Tarasov (Russian: Анато́лий Влади́мирович Тара́сов; 10 December 1918 – 23 June 1995) was a Russian ice hockey player and coach. Tarasov is considered “the father of Russian ice hockey” and established the Soviet Union national team as “the dominant force in international competition”.^[1]

He was one of the first Russians to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 1974 in the builders category. Tarasov also played and managed in the sport of football, but is best known for his work in developing the USSR’s ice hockey program.