Anatoli Tarasov

Who was Anatoli Tarasov?

Anatoli Vladimirovitch Tarasov was an ice hockey player and coach. Tarasov is considered "the father of Russian hockey" by Encyclopædia Britannica, who established the Soviet Union national team as "the dominant force in international competition". 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.