People pay tribute to legendary Russian ice hockey coach Viktor Tikhonov

Viktor Tikhonov’s memorial service was held Thursday at CSKA Ice Palace. Over 10 thousand admirers of his talent came to pay their respect to the legendary coach.

“The world hockey community has lost a great coach and an outstanding professional. “He devoted his entire life to hockey until the last second. Even when I was with him in hospital, we were discussing what needed to be done and how, in order to raise the Russian national team to the very highest level”, – said the President of the Russian Hockey Federation Vladislav Tretiak.

The head of the Russian Hockey Federation added that “we will always remember Viktor Tikhonov. We must remember him and teach our children by his example, as he was a true patriot of his country, who has done a lot for national hockey.”

“Twenty three years ago I was a young man. I came from Magnitogorsk and sat at the same table with Tikhonov. It was one of our first meetings after the collapse of the Soviet hockey. Then we did not know at all how to play. However, the hockey fraternity survived, and largely thanks to Tikhonov. He taught us how to live and love the sport – said Vice-President of the Metallurg Magnitogorsk Gennady Velichkin.

“We must continue the work of Viktor Tikhonov,” – said the honored coach of the USSR and Russia Vladimir Jurzinov senior. – Viktor was a phenomenon. We should see his followers. His work should be continued and developed. He was a true professional worker. His example shows that you should never give up and you always need to learn”.

“One of his strengths was his ability to unite people behind him, and to lead them to achieve their goals,” – added Jurzinov.

“Hockey has become our national sport largely thanks to Viktor Tikhonov. His death is an irreparable loss for Russia”, – said the president of the Russian Olympic Committee Alexander Zhukov.

Tikhonov was buried at the Vagankovsky cemetery in Moscow after the memorial ceremony.