1. Early Life and Background
Anatoli Firsov's early life in Moscow was marked by significant challenges and a strong introduction to sports, which profoundly shaped his future.
1.1. Childhood and Early Sports Activities
Firsov was born and raised in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, on February 1, 1941. His family consisted of three children. Tragically, when Firsov was only one month old, his father was killed in action during World War II, leaving his mother to raise the children alone. Growing up, Firsov's family experienced significant economic hardship, as his mother's work at a kindergarten provided a meager income.
Initially, Firsov did not play ice hockey. Instead, he started with bandy, a sport that was more popular than ice hockey in the Soviet Union at the time. Bandy and ice hockey share many similarities, though bandy uses a ball instead of a puck and is played on a much larger field. Firsov first played bandy as a member of his backyard team, often slotted as a defenceman, a position typically reserved for undersized children or those lacking proper equipment. During the summer months, he would play association football, which helped him maintain his physical fitness year-round. Due to his family's financial constraints, Firsov had to improvise his own equipment. His bandy stick was crafted from a shaft carved from a cherry tree, with the blade made from shaft bows that he acquired by taking them from horse yards at night. These makeshift sticks broke easily, requiring him to fashion new ones regularly. His skates were similarly rudimentary, consisting of a boot with a blade laced to the bottom with a string. Despite these setbacks, Firsov quickly distinguished himself as one of the most promising young talents. By around 11 years old, he was competing against players aged 16, and by approximately 12 years old, he was playing against adult men who had served in the Soviet Army.
1.2. Introduction to Ice Hockey
It was not until Firsov was around 15 years old that he became acquainted with ice hockey. He initially faced some difficulty adapting to the different equipment, particularly the larger blade of a hockey stick compared to the smaller bandy stick blade, which he felt interfered with his play. However, Firsov credited the larger bandy fields, which are approximately 328 ft (100 m) in length compared to hockey's 197 ft (60 m), for significantly strengthening his endurance. The longer distances he had to skate in bandy proved beneficial for his stamina on the ice hockey rink.
2. Playing Career
Anatoli Firsov's professional ice hockey career spanned from 1959 to 1974, during which he became one of the most celebrated players in Soviet and international hockey history.
2.1. Club Career
Firsov began his club career playing for HC Spartak Moscow before joining HC CSKA Moscow, where he spent the majority of his professional career. During his time with CSKA Moscow, he established himself as one of the best forwards in Soviet hockey, known for his powerful shot, exceptional stickhandling, and remarkable goal-scoring ability. He played as a left wing and shot right. He stood at 5 in tall and weighed 154 lb (154 lb).
2.2. Soviet National Team Career
Firsov was a cornerstone of the Soviet Union national team from 1964 to 1972. During this period, he played 166 games and scored an impressive 134 goals, contributing significantly to the team's unparalleled success on the international stage.
Despite his status as one of the world's top players, Firsov notably did not participate in the historic 1972 Summit Series against Canada. Many contemporary observers and historians believe this exclusion was a direct consequence of the removal of legendary coach Anatoli Tarasov from the Soviet coaching staff prior to the series, suggesting a political rather than performance-based decision.
2.3. Major Tournament Achievements
Firsov's international career was marked by an extraordinary collection of titles and individual accolades. He won three Olympic gold medals: at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, and the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo.
He also secured eight World Championship titles with the Soviet team, winning gold medals in 1964 (which was also the 1964 Olympic tournament), 1965, 1966, 1967, 1968 (also the 1968 Olympic tournament), 1969, 1970, and 1971.
Individually, Firsov was a consistent top performer in major tournaments. He won the IIHF World Championships scoring title four times (1967, 1968, 1969, 1971) and was named the best forward three times (1967, 1968, 1971). In the Soviet hockey league, he was named the most valuable player three times (1968, 1969, 1971) and was the Soviet scoring champion and goal-scoring leader in 1966.
3. Coaching and Other Activities
Following his retirement as a player, Anatoli Firsov transitioned into coaching and became actively involved in political and social initiatives.
3.1. Coaching Career
In 1972, while still playing for HC CSKA Moscow, Firsov began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the club. His dedication to developing young talent continued as he took on the role of head coach for the Soviet junior team between 1976 and 1977, leading them to a bronze medal at the 1977 Ice Hockey World Championships. From 1977 until his death, Firsov devoted himself to coaching children's hockey, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to nurturing the next generation of players.
3.2. Political and Social Activities
Anatoli Firsov extended his influence beyond the realm of sports by engaging in civic duties. In 1989, he was elected to the Congress of People's Deputies of the Soviet Union, a significant political body during the late Soviet era. His campaign platform notably focused on advocating for policies aimed at improving public health conditions and enhancing sporting facilities. This involvement highlighted his dedication to social progress and the well-being of the broader community, reflecting a commitment to leveraging his public standing for civic betterment.
4. Personal Life
Anatoli Vasilievich Firsov was born on February 1, 1941, in Moscow. He was raised by his single mother alongside his two siblings after his father's death in World War II. He passed away in Moscow on July 24, 2000.
5. Death
Anatoli Firsov died on July 24, 2000, in Moscow, Russia, at the age of 59.
6. Awards and Honors
Anatoli Firsov received numerous awards and honors throughout his distinguished career, recognizing his exceptional contributions to ice hockey and his country.
- Soviet MVP: 1968, 1969, 1971
- Soviet scoring champion: 1966
- Soviet goal-scoring leader: 1966
- IIHF World Championships scoring leader: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971
- IIHF World Championships goal-scoring leader: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1971
- IIHF World Championships best forward: 1967, 1968, 1971
- Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1972)
- Two Orders of the Badge of Honor (1965 and 1968)
- Inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 1998
7. Bibliography
Anatoli Firsov authored a published work reflecting on his experiences and insights:
- Firsov, A. V. (1973). To Switch on the Light of Victory. Moscow: Fizkultura i sport. (In Russian)