Fetisov Retires To Become Coach

Star defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov, who started the influx of players from the former Soviet Union to NHL, retired Tuesday rather than stay with the Detroit Red Wings in a limited playing role.

Fetisov will become an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, where he got his start as an NHL player in 1989.

The 40-year-old Fetisov's retirement came a little more than a month after he helped the Red Wings to an emotional second straight Stanley Cup by sweeping Washington in four games.

It was a title that the Red wings dedicated to defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov and team massage therapist Sergei Mnatsakonov, who were seriously injured in a limousine crash six days after Detroit won the Cup in June 1997.

Fetisov bruised his chest and ribs in that same crash, but recovered and had a full-time role on Scotty Bowman's team last season.

Considered by many the greatest Soviet defenseman, Fetisov called his decision to retire a tough one since he felt he might have been able to play for a few more years.

However, the Red Wings offered him a reduced role for next season that he said would have meant playing only 30 or so games.

At the same time, the Devils offered Fetisov a three-year contract as an assistant to Robbie Ftorek, who replaced Jacques Lemaire as New Jersey coach after last season.

"To be honest, I was waiting to the last moment to see if (general manager) Kenny (Holland) would make a different offer," Fetisov said in a telephone conference call arranged by the Devils.

When it didn't come, Fetisov accepted the coaching offer from Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, had arranged for Fetisov to come to the United States and the NHL.

The defenseman played for the Devils until 1995 when he was traded in April to Detroit for a draft pick.

Ironically, the Devils beat Detroit for the Stanley Cup that year, but Fetisov attained his ultimate goal two years later, winning the first of two Cups with the Red Wings.

"In addition to being a world-class athlete, Slava Fetisov is a well-respected, first-class individual," Laoriello said. "With over 20 years spent as a player in both international and NHL competition, the experience he brings to the Devils will be beneficial to both our veteran and younger players."

The former captain of the famed Central Red Army team, Fetisov also won two Olympic gold medals and nine world titles playing for the then Soviet Union. He played 13 seasons for the Central Red Army team, was twice named his country's player of the year while winning the Gold Stick Award as Europe's top player in 1984.

Fetisov had 36 goals and 192 assists in 546 NHL games. He had two goals and 26 assists in the playoffs.

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