A revealing look inside the Russian Super League by its first Canadian coach. Until now no Canadian had penetrated the coaching ranks of Russian hockey, but the year after the NHL lockout, Dave King became head coach of the Metallurg Magnitogorsk. From the beginning, King, Canada's long-time national coach and former coach of both the Flames and Blue Jackets, realized he was in for an adventure. His first meeting with team officials in a Vienna hotel lobby included six fast-talking Russians and the "bag-man" -- assistant general manager Oleg Kuprianov, who always carried a little black bag full of U.S. one hundred dollar bills. The mission seemed simple enough: keep the old Soviet style combination play on offence, but improve the team's defensive play -- and win a Russian Super League Championship. Yet, as King's diary of his time in Russia reveals, coaching an elite Russian team is anything but simple. King of Russia details the world of Russian hockey from the inside, intimately acquainting us with the lives of key players, owners, managers, and fans, while granting us a unique perspective on life in an industrial town in the new Russia. And introducing us to Evgeni Malkin, Magnitogorsk's star and the NHL's newest phenomenon. From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
A terrific story:
This book is a terrific almost day-by-day account of the experience Dave King had coaching in Russia. I was particularly interested in this title because, besides being an avid hockey fan from Minnesota -practically a Canadian province in terms of hockey- I am also someone who has been interested in first, the Soviet Union as a teenager, and now Russia and its transition away from communism. Before I read it, I wondered how the Russian players, media and fans would treat him. I also wondered whether or not... more info
Entertaining, A quick read.:
I really enjoyed reading this book. Had to put it down once in a while to get some sleep! I had read an earlier book about the first NHL player that went to Russia. This fits in well with that book. A very good update about the players. The world hockey that you don't hear about in the States, and Canada.
You will recognize the names. A good book.
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