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Vladimir Putin plays hockey with ex-NHL’ers on 63rd birthday, scores 7 goals

Russian President Vladimir Putin spent his 63rd birthday on the ice on Wednesday, playing hockey with NHL stars against Russian officials and tycoons.

Putin scored seven goals as his star-studded team, which included NHL legends Vyacheslav Fetisov and Pavel Bure, won the game 15-10.

The opposing team included Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as well as Putin‘s close friends — tycoons Gennady Timchenko and Arkady Rotenberg.

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READ MORE: France tells Putin that Russia must confine airstrikes in Syria to IS targets

This is not the first time Putin has wowed spectators and players alike with his ability to put the puck in the net.

Putin scored 6 goals at an amateur game in the Bolshoi arena in Sochi in 2014, helping his team to a whopping 21-4 victory.

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He was joined by Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, as well as former professional players and amateurs of the NHL.

Both Gennady Timchenko and Arkady Rotenberg were slapped with Western sanctions last year for their ties to Putin in the wake of Russia’s annexation of Crimea.

Putin was given a trophy for his team’s win at the end of the game and a medal for his contribution to hockey in Russia.

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