Vladimir Putin scored five goals in his annual ‘Hockey Legends’ gala match today in a star-studded team filled with Russian Olympic champions.
The Russian president put in a ‘Man of the Match’-worthy performance, scoring two goals and setting up another in the opening period before slotting another three goals in the final 20 minutes.
Putin’s efforts saw his team ease their way to a 12-7 victory in the slow-paced affair.
Russian President Vladimir Putin takes part in a gala match at the All-Russia Festival Night Hockey League in Sochi
Putin skates on during his team’s 12-7 win at the Bolshoi Ice Arena in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia
The two teams were comprised of amateur players, a governor and a pro-Putin billionaire, as well as Olympic champions.
Putin’s team was made up of defence minister Sergey Shoigu, Olympic champions Vyacheslav Fetisov, Aleksey Kasatonov, Valery Kamensky, Pavel ‘Russian Rocket’ Bure and others. Aleksey Dyumin, the Tula Region Governor, was again in goal just like last year.
The Russian leader again donned his customary red ice hockey jersey, sporting the number 11, while the opponents wore white jerseys.
The two teams were comprised of a mixture of amateur players, a governor and a pro-Putin billionaire, as well as Olympic champions
Putin is all smiles as he prepares to make a speech at the Bolshoi Ice Arena in Russia following his team’s 12-7 win in the annual ‘Hockey Legends’ match in Sochi
Putin looks on from the bench as his team plays in the ice hockey match in Sochi. The opposition team was made up of Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov, Norilsk Nickel CEO Vladimir Potanin and others
The opposition team was made up of Moscow Region Governor Andrei Vorobyov, Norilsk Nickel CEO Vladimir Potanin and others.
Night Ice Hockey league was founded by Putin a number of years ago and has become an annual fixture in the Russian calendar.
Renowned Soviet and Russian ice hockey stars join in the initiative to help promote the sport.
The first even took place in Moscow on May 2012, which Putin also took part in. That even took place just hours after his presidential inauguration at the Kremlin
The first even took place in Moscow on May 2012, which Putin also took part in. That even took place just hours after his presidential inauguration at the Kremlin.
Putin was reelected as Russia’s president for another six year term earlier this year, with his inauguration held on Monday, May 7.
Russian State Duma member, retired ice hockey defenceman Vyacheslav Fetisov, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin, and Alexander Yakushev (left to right), chairman of the Night Hockey League’s Legend Council, smile as they celebrate Putin lifting up the cup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (centre) poses for a selfie after a Night Hockey League gala match at the Bolshoi Ice Palace
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (L) and Alexander Yakushev (R), chairman of the Night Hockey League’s Legend Council, award HC Stalker, winner of the 7th Russian National Amateur Ice Hockey Teams Festival