“I think he broke his nose every game. I mean, go take a look at him. He looks like Gerry Cheevers’ mask. He was a guy who was a warrior out there and he never gave up. He’s a special guy. I used to call him the godfather of Russia.”

- Los Angeles Kings coordinator of amateur scouting, Mike Futa, on Russian junior coach Valeri Bragin. Futa and Bragin used to play against each other in the Danish Elite League.