Last week
Reuters reported that Russia has rejected a new player transfer agreement negotiated between the IIHF and the NHL. Two years ago, Russia also declined to sign the agreement in place now. It expires next month.
So I'm reading this article, and here comes a quote from the Russian Ice Hockey Federation president, pooh-poohing the NHL's $200,000 offer for developing players as a "handout" — and it's Vladislav Tretiak. Yes,
that Tretiak.
Tretiak's a politician? All the Russian hockey buffs among you will be surprised I didn't know this, but I guess the Russian State Duma is in my blind spot (along with, I'm sorry to say, the representative assemblies of almost all the world's governments). I ask you, though: What's with Summit Series goalies and politics? Tretiak is chairman of the Duma Committee on Physical Culture, Sport, and Youth, having been elected in 2003 as a United Russia party candidate — and his Canadian counterpart in goal for games one, four, six and eight, Ken Dryden, is a Liberal Party MP representing a district in Toronto. (Here's his
voting record if you're interested.)
In conspicuous variance with this trend is
Tony Esposito, Canada's better goalie in the Summit Series. He was GM of the Penguins for a few minutes, but I don't know what he's up to now. Contemplating a run for office, I should expect.