Yuri Vasilievich Lebedev is a famous domestic hockey player. He spent most of his career at the Wings of the Soviets club. This striker is the club’s most titled player. Lebedev, in addition to local successes, played a lot for the international team. He repeatedly appeared in the national team at the most prestigious international tournaments.
Athlete Biography
Yuri Lebedev, without a doubt, is a legend. His contribution to the development of our hockey is very high. He began his professional career at HC CSKA. But then it was still difficult for a young and promising guy to compete with the legendary hockey players from this team. In this regard, a year later he played in the Lipetsk SKA MBO. This club played in the 2nd league of the domestic championship.
Yuri Lebedev, speaking for SKA MBO, received a lot of playing time, so he began to progress. His game was noticed by hockey experts from the Wings of the Soviets club. Then the young player did not know that most of the seasons of his professional career would take place in this club. Yuri Lebedev played for this great club from 1970 to 1985. Yuri had a break in games for Wings of the Soviets. In the 1982-1983 season, he went to Germany. Club Hamburg SV Yuri was hired as a playing coach.
The legendary three "Wings of the Soviets"
At that time, the head coach of Moscow “Wings” Boris Kulagin, thanks to an experiment with links, created one of the most effective combinations of forwards. This illustrious troika, which consisted of Anisin, Lebedev and Bodunov, inspired fear in all opposing teams. Thanks to their productive game, the Wings of the Soviets club won the USSR Championship in the 1973-1974 season, ahead of the undefeated CSKA and the strong Spartak club in the standings.
In the same combination, these illustrious players played for their international team. For the first time they went on the ice in the significant for the domestic hockey USSR super series - Canada in the fall of 1972. It is worth noting that after the end of their career, these partners also played together for the USSR Hockey Legends team. But over time, due to pain in his legs, Bodyun could no longer play hockey. Anisin and Lebedev are still on the same link.
Sports Achievements
Lebedev is the most titled player in Moscow “Wings”. He won the World Hockey Championship 5 times. But he did not succeed in winning the Olympic Games. In 1980, at this tournament, the USSR team won silver medals. Club Wings of the Soviets won the USSR Championship only once in the time of Lebedev, in 1974. Then Lebedev, together with the team became the owner of the USSR Cup. In 1975, his team was content with silver medals, and in 1973 and 1978. - only bronze. Lebedev repeatedly entered the list of the best hockey players in the country.
Player stats
Lebedev spent 14 seasons in the Hockey League of the USSR during his long career. In total, he played 473 games in the Russian championship. In them, this defender was scored 181 goals and made 218 assists. Lebedev was the main player in the hockey team of his country.
In total, he spent 42 matches for the USSR team, in which he scored 10 goals. Yuri Lebedev took part in such a significant event as the Super Series 72 and 74. At the Canadian Cup in 1976, this hockey player played 4 matches.
Ending a sports career
To complete his successful career, Yuri Lebedev returned to the Moscow club Wings of the Soviets. At the last game of this legendary Soviet striker came a lot of fans who respect him and love him. After completing his professional career, Yuri Lebedev, a hockey player from God, remained in the club to the delight of many. First, he began coaching, and then became president of Moscow “Wings." Over time, this successful athlete in the past became the sports director of his beloved club.
Interesting Facts
In the career of this hockey player there are interesting events:
- Yuri Lebedev at the age of 13 became actively involved in football at the Torpedo club. In the same year, together with the guys from the yard, Lebedev enrolled in the school of HC CSKA. In football, he also had good prospects. Yuri even began his performance for the second team. The coaches persuaded him to stay in football, but he and his friends chose hockey, which he did not regret for a second in the future.
- Canadian Dick Beddos ate a newspaper piece by piece. This event happened in front of Lebedev and his teammates. It all started with a statement by a journalist who said that if Canadians lose at least one game, he will eat his newspaper. The first game of the super series ended with the victory of our hockey players with a score of 7: 3.
- With one of his partners, Vyacheslav Anisin, Lebedev played at the age of 10 in a children's youth school. Perhaps that is why these players understand each other so well. Outside the ice, they were also good buddies.
The ruin of the native club
Fans will remember such a famous striker as Yuri Lebedev. The biography of this hockey player deserves respect. He did not pursue profit. Lebedev throughout his career was faithful to his native club. But the Wings of the Soviets team did not have their own stadium. The factory often changed power. As a result, he stopped funding. The main team slowly slipped to the Premier League, and eventually ceased to exist at all. The double, which played in the MHL, existed after the termination of funding for only one season. Now the club "Wings of the Soviets" has only a children's school. Whenever possible, parents try not to give their children there, as there are poor conditions for classes. It is difficult to imagine how painful it was for the veteran to see the ruin of the team in which he had spent so many years.
Yuri Vasilievich Lebedev has become a true legend for the Moscow “Wings”. It was thanks to his efforts that the club received new trophies. Even after the end of his professional career, he is trying with all his might to restore his native team, in which he spent almost his whole life. Despite his age (65 years), Lebedev still goes on the ice to play for HC “Legends of USSR Hockey”. This team is supported by many famous athletes who are currently continuing to develop our hockey.