Former Spartak Moscow defender Alexei Makarov was one of the most gifted hockey players of his generation, two-time Olympic champion Boris Mayorov told .
On Saturday, Spartak announced that Makarov had died at the age of 83. The defender played for the “red and white” for 13 years, and together with the team he became a three-time champion of the USSR (1962, 1967, 1969).
— Leshka was a master, stronger than some hockey players of the national team of those years. A very physically gifted player, with good skating and good shots, he understood the game perfectly. I played on the left edge, we had an excellent connection, especially on the power play. Makarov often came from the right flank of the defense, I passed him to the far post. It’s a shame that such a talented player never ended up in the national team, he wasn’t even allowed to try to play.
In life, he was a very good person, pleasant to talk to, his character fit into the team, there were never any problems. When Alexey finished playing, he retired from the sport. We have kept in touch with him, but he has not participated in Spartak veteran affairs recently. It’s a shame, but after all, we are all over 80,” Mayorov told .
Source : MatchTV
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