The Legend's Grandson

Viktor Tikhonov was, by any definition, a Soviet hockey legend. As coach of the USSR’s national team (known in North America as The Big Red Machine), Tikhonov led the squad for 22 seasons, winning three Olympic gold medals (1984, 1988, 1992) and eight world championships.* Meanwhile, on domestic ice, Tikhonov guided the Soviet Union’s best team, CSKA Moscow, to 12 national championships in 20 seasons.

Now, nearly 30 years later, another Viktor Tikhonov, the elder’s grandson, is also trying to etch his name in hockey history. With many Russian players like Tikhonov playing in the NHL, the 27-year-old says he has to work to maintain a balance between the Russian and American aspects of his personality.

“I still feel I’m a bit more Russian,” Tikhonov said, “but I know that my American is definitely up there. I couldn’t really put a percentage on it. But I’m definitely more than half Russian and a little bit under half American.”