'Tretiak' still a magical hockey name

Any discussion of the greatest goaltenders in hockey history should include Vladislav Tretiak, who won three Olympic gold medals with the old Soviet Union powerhouses.

Despite toiling behind the Iron Curtain, Tretiak, president of the Russian Ice hockey Federation, is quickly recognized in any hockey environment.

"Tretiak is a legend no matter what country you come from," Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar said. "Everybody in the world knows how unbelievable he was for Team Russia. He was one of the best ever.

"When he walks the streets of Montreal, everyone recognizes him. That's how great he was."

Tretiak, 57, enjoys talking about his gold medals but knows most people would rather talk about his silver medal-winning Soviet team from 1980, in Lake Placid, N.Y. That was the year the heavily favored Soviets lost to the United States in what became known as the "Miracle on Ice." The U.S. went on to defeat Finland and win the gold medal.

In 1989, Tretiak became the first Russian player — and the first European-born player without NHL experience — inducted into the hockey Hall of Fame.

The Trib caught up with Tretiak at a recent Penguins game, when he was on a scouting mission in his role as GM of the Russian Olympic team. Topics included 1980 and the high-powered Russian Olympic Team, which will include Penguins stars Gonchar and Evgeni Malkin.

Are people back home still mad about 1980?

"Yes, very mad (laughs). The American team was regarded as students, a team we had beaten 10-3 (in an exhibition game). Nobody expected we would lose."

Are you still mad about it?

"I'm not mad, but I was very mad that I was taken out of the game because of one mistake (Soviet coach Viktor Tikhonov pulled Tretiak after the first period). I was never put on the bench in a 2-2 game before. I was shocked. I told (teammates) the next day in the Olympic village that I maybe did not want to play anymore, retire. I'm glad I kept playing and won again (in 1984), but I never understood why that happened."

Did you and Tikhonov ever discuss the incident?

"No, never. But I know he said in a book ('The Boys of Winter,' by Wayne Coffey) that it was the biggest mistake of his coaching career. I agree."

What do you think of Evgeni Malkin?

"Great player. Very smart player. Makes all the passes, plays defense, plays the power play very well. Unbelievable. He plays the same as the Soviet players from a long time ago. Good style."

How about Marc-Andre Fleury?

"I like him. I saw him last year in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and he played the best of anyone."

Does Fleury or any goalie remind you of yourself?

"I was the first goalie to play a full butterfly. Today, everybody plays my style. There are good goalies everywhere. (Martin) Brodeur might be the best ever."

Some people don't like Alex Ovheckin's goal celebrations. What do you think?

"A long time ago, Soviet players never celebrated. Ovechkin is a different guy. He is more like American, Canadian hockey players. People are excited if you do it like that, so it's fine. Why not?"