Russians To Play In WHA, NHL?
Vancouver Province, August 31, 1978

Toronto - The Soviet Ice Hockey Federation (SIHF) is prepared to start giving its older players permission to play in North America and several - including national star Vladimir Shadrin - may be playing in the World Hockey Association in 1979-80 season.

In a series of lengthy and unprecedented meetings, Soviet hockey officials recently told WHA executives that players no longer able to help the national team will be available for one or two year periods.

The negotiations were so successful that Edmonton Oilers recently came close to making a deal that would have made the 30 year old Shadrin a playing coach with the club.

"We were extremely serious in negotiations and a deal with Shadrin was so close that talks broke off when we started haggling over money," Oilers vice-president larry Gordon said Wednesday. "At the last minute, the Soviets told us we were one year away from making a deal."

Gordon, who developed strong relations with the SIHF while negotiating numerous international games for the WHA in his former capacity as WHA executive director, said talks with Vyacheslav Koloskov, head of the SIHF, will reopen in December when the Soviets visit WHA centers for exhibitions.

The federation already developed a similar program with Japan.

Former Soviet star Vyacheslav Starshinov has been coaching a club team in Japan in recent years.

Shadrin's usefulness to the national team ran out in 1976 when a serious shoulder injury sidelined him.

Alexander Yakushev, 32, a high scoring left winger and linemate with Shadrin on the national team and the Spartak of Moscow club team, also is considered a potential candidate to play in the WHA.

At least one National Hockey League club also has discussed acquisition of Soviet players.

John Ferguson, former general manager of New York Rangers, said Wednesday he had met with SIHF officials last year about this type of transfer. Russia wanted to auction players to the highest bidder.