A Conversation with Viktor Tikhonov Jr.

Viktor Tikhonov Jr. is about to contend for his third Gagarin Cup. He shared his fondest memories of his legendary grandfather, the Ak Bars playoff push, and an NHL prank that went haywire.

Reposted with permission from khl.ru.

I have only spoken once with Viktor Tikhonov Jr., but here is something of which I’m sure: his courage is off the charts. If you know anything about his grandfather’s coaching legacy, then perhaps you will recall footage of the Soviet National Team pooling sweat in the gym of an army barracks, alternating Olympic lif…