Russian President Vladimir Putin scored five goals in an exhibition hockey game with former NHL stars on Thursday.
In what has become an annual tradition given ample airtime on state TV, Putin played on a “Legends of Hockey” team, alongside big names of the past, such as Pavel Bure and Slava Fetisov.
The opposition was comprised of amateur players, plus a governor and a pro-Putin billionaire. Putin’s team won the mostly slow-paced game 12-7.
Get daily National news
WATCH: Vladimir Putin plays hockey with ex-NHL’ers on 63rd birthday, scores 7 goals
- Trump and Iran’s supreme leader trade threats as mediators try to save their crumbling deal
- Passenger’s head and shoulders sucked out of window on flight from Greece: reports
- Art museum covers gallery floor in peanut butter to honour late Dutch artist
- Talks with Iran to continue, but ceasefire is over, Trump says
Five goals was on the low side by Putin’s standards — he scored eight in the 2015 game and seven last year. The 65-year-old Russian president took up hockey late in life after being a keen judo competitor in his youth.
Amateur-league hockey players set a “wonderful example” for ordinary Russians, Putin said, adding “thanks to you, millions of people make a choice in favour of a healthy lifestyle.”
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.