Quote:
Originally Posted by Puppet Guy
Victor Nechayev played 3 games for the Kings in 1982-83 season, making him the first Soviet-born player in the NHL.
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But not the first Russian born player. Sweeney Schriner was born in Saratov in the Russian Empire in 1917. His family immigrated to Calgary when he was an infant.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Lionel Conacher was first (and the only one to be on both as a player)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Komskies
Lionel 'Big Train' Conacher. He was the first true two-sport All-star, decades before Bo Jackson was even born.
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Conacher was actually a FIVE sport superstar. In addition to hockey and football, he was a Hall of Fame lacrosse player, won the Little World Series with the Toronto Maple Leafs baseball team, was a champion wrestler and boxer.
Conacher, as an MP, died on the baseball field after legging out a triple in a charity game between politicians and members of the press.