Nikolai Sologubov

Nikolai Mikhailovich Sologubov (Russian: Николай Михайлович Сологубов; b. 8 August 1924 in Moscow, Soviet Union — d. 30 December 1988) was an ice hockey defenceman in the Soviet Union.

German-Soviet War

Sologubov took part in the German-Soviet War. Serving in the naval infantry he was wounded in the foot in a battle near Shlisselburg in 1943. He had stepped on a German booby trap. After a month and a half rehabilitation at a hospital he returned to front into the infantry and served as a scout. Six months later he was wounded into his arm, but returned to the Leningrad front once again. He was wounded for the third time during the Krasnoye Selo offensive, when a "jumping mine" exploded very close to him. The wound was so serious, that doctors were going to amputate his leg, suspecting gangrene. Fortunately, this diagnosis had not been confirmed, but he was operated four times on the right leg and four times on the left one.

Sports career

He played for several Moscow-based teams from 1949 to 1964, finishing with SKA Kalinin in 1964-65. He played for the national team in all the IIHF World Championships from 1955 to 1961 as well as 1963, and in the 1956 and 1960 Winter Olympics. At the 1960 Winter Olympics Sologubov was the USSR Olympic Team Flag Bearer. He helped the Soviet Union win World Championship Gold in 1956 and 1963, Silver in 1955, 1957, 1958, and 1959, and Bronze in 1960 and 1961. Sologubov was named best defenceman at the World Championships in 1956, 1957, and 1960. He was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2004.

He could often be identified on the ice by his gold tooth.

Sologubov helped the United States in the 1960 Winter Olympics out of respect and wanting to win a medal. The U.S. was losing to Czechoslovakia, having difficulty breathing the thin air. Sologubov, then the Soviet captain, went to their dressing room and informed them (using gestures, because he did not speak English) that they needed to take oxygen. The Americans came back to win the game and the gold medal. The Soviets needed the United States to defeat Czechoslovakia in order to have an opportunity to win the silver medal. However, the Soviets would lose their last game of the tournament, and the silver medal would be won by Canada. The Soviet Union would settle for bronze in that year.

Sologubov was also an avid drinker, and known to lead post-tournament festivities.

Honours and award

In 1957, Sologubov was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour. He was also awarded the Medal for Battle Merit and the Medal "For Labour Valour". He was also awarded the title of Honoured Master of Sports.