Hockey & Banya
Famous all over the world Soviet (Russian) ice hockey players of different generations (Vladislav Tretyak, Anatoly Firsov, Helmut Balderis, Valery Kharlamov, Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin etc.) enjoyed the Banya and attended it regularly.
Expressions of some famous all over the world Russian hockey players about Banya ( sauna) are presented below:
Anatoli Firsov, Russian ice hockey left wing and center, who competed internationally for the USSR. In the IIHF World Championships, he won the scoring title four times and was named the best forward three times. He was also named the most valuable player in the Soviet hockey league three times.
“I can not imagine myself without Banya. Hockey is not hockey without Banya. It is difficult to get after the game something better than Banya. You can feel that your tired muscles again get freshness. However in case I had not plaid hockey I would like Banya as well because Banya helps to enjoy the life. I know that my delight about Banya also share many others famous all over the world Russian hockey players”
Vladislav Tretyak, former goalkeeper for the Soviet Union’s national ice hockey team. He considered being one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of sport. He was voted one of six players to the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) Centennial All-Star Team in a poll conducted by a group of 56 experts from 16 countries. He is the current president of the Ice Hockey Federation of Russia.
“Nowadays hockey players play hundreds of games annually and it is impossible to escape from bruises and haematomas. Where hockey players heal their injuries? They heal injuries in Banya because a massage with venik in the steam room provides better blood microcirculation in the injured ligaments and muscles, so healing goes faster.”
Don Cutts, former goalkeeper of “Edmonton Oliers”, named on the ECAC Second All-Star Team with the RPI Engeneers, 1972, 1973 … Named ECAC Rookie of the year with the RPI Engeneers, 1972 … Named on the IHL First All-Star Team with the Muskegon Mohawks, 1976 … Winner of the James Norris Memorial Trophy (IHL Fewest GAA) with the Muskegon Mohawks, 1976.
“I was recently introduced to Banya experience and really liked it. Massage with oak leafs within the steam room always gives me the feeling of freshness and rejuvenation.”