This time, Fetisov was not late for a minute. He was animated. But there was a persistent feeling that he did not understand why he was invited.
- This year is the anniversary of your legendary five. And soon a match will take place with your participation on Red Square, ”the host prompted kindly.
Fetisov immediately averted all suspicion from himself.
“I want to say that I am not the organizer of the game,” he said and admitted that in connection with this venture he had a hard time. “But I'm getting ready.” I bring myself into compliance.
It was evident that compliance with the regime was not easy for the head of Rossport.
- Will you name the compositions? Asked the reporters.
“This is the prerogative of the organizers,” Fetisov grimaced. “I know that Styasny will come.” And Vladislav Tretyak will play in defense. So let's see: what if he opens up in a new role?
As soon as the name of the head of Russian hockey was heard, hockey questions immediately sounded.
- Vladislav Tretyak advocates that the NHL matches not be shown on all-Russian channels. What do you think about it?
Fetisov thought a little.
- Is it so that it is impossible to compare, or what? He grinned. “I think I answered your question.”
There was no concrete answer to the question of Alexei Kasatonov, whose relations with him, to put it mildly, did not work out. They, partners in the Great Five, are now enemies.
- And what about Kasatonov? - shrugged Fetisov. - Personal relationships are one thing, and hockey is another. We will go out and play.
They asked the country's chief sports official how the transition of the Russian championship to the autumn-spring system will affect the development of football.
“I don’t know what our football can kill,” Fetisov sighed. “We have to try everything.” Let them move. I think it will not be worse.
The theme of the Euro-Asian League was also touched. Fetisov invented it and remains an ardent supporter of this idea. But the tournament was never there. It turned out that there wasn’t enough a person who would deal with this tightly.
The head of Rossport with pleasure told who came up with the idea to play hockey on Red Square:
- And I came up with that. When Gary Bettman and Rene Fasel came to us in a fire order to negotiate a contract with the NHL, we walked with them along Red Square and other beautiful places. So I suggested playing there. Modern technology allows this. They seized on the idea. That is, the organizers of the mast are the NHL commissioner and the IIHF president.
And the main news of the day was that Fetisov will still coach the Russian team at the world hockey championship. Of course, he is not going to replace Vyacheslav Bykov (for now?), But he will put the team on the defensive.
“I have some experience,” Fetisov admitted modestly.
Then he hurried to the Davis Cup, where he sat down next to Boris Yeltsin and applauded Nikolai Davydenko. He has time everywhere.
Alexey Shevchenko