Irek Gimaev - the legend of domestic hockey

The Gimaev brothers played many seasons, pleasing the fans with the preparation of a high level. One of the most successful brothers is Irek Gimaev - a hockey player who has achieved a lot in his clubs and in the team.

The beginning of the path of the famous hockey player

Irek Gimaev was born on September 2, 1957 in the Dyurtyuli district of the Bashkir ASSR. He is the oldest among his illustrious brothers. As a child, Irek was a very active child. In the warm season often spent time playing football, basketball or tennis. But with the advent of winter, he literally moved to the ice rink. In 1967, the Ice Palace of Sports was built in Ufa. A large number of children wanted to start hockey, but they took only the most capable. Irek Gimaev was among them. He quickly got involved and began to learn hockey elements. He liked frequent trips to the cities of our country, since he was born in a poor village, and before coming to hockey, he had no such opportunity. Irek Gimaev spoke very well of his first coaches. Azamatov Marat Isaevich and Shtyrkov Vladimir Ivanovich enjoyed great respect and affection from young athletes. The Ufa school has always been at a high level. The main rivals at that time were the guys from Chelyabinsk. In 1973, Gimayev's team became the champion of the USSR for his year. After that many players of that team began to be included in the youth teams, including Irek Gimaev.

Professional career

Gimayev began his speech for his native Salavat Yulaev. For six seasons he managed to score 44 goals. Gimaev Sr. is a universal hockey player. He acted in the club on the positions of the striker and defender. For an excellent game for his native club, Gimayev received an invitation from the strongest team at that time CSKA, which was headed by such a great coach as Viktor Tikhonov. Of course, the young hockey player immediately accepted the invitation and moved to Moscow.

The CSKA club has a completely different manner of play. Irek had to get used to it for a long time. Preparing athletes for games on the base in the suburbs. There they spent 10 months a year, rarely seeing their families. But no one complained, because playing in such a great team is a great honor. In CSKA Gimayev played eight years. During this period he became the champion of the League seven times. The competition in CSKA was always very high. Every year young players tried the team. And it was clear to everyone that there was very little time left before Gimayev left.

Career abroad

Gimayev, realizing that he was no longer able to maintain such a high level, left the country and started playing for the Japanese hockey club Odzi Sejsi. This team at that time was the leader of its championship. For 4 years spent there, Irek won six times with the team of the local championship. But to finish his successful career, Gimayev went to Slovenia, to the club "Olympia". Fans always loved a player like Irek Gimaev. The hockey player, whose photo was often decorated with sports magazines, was popular.

Achievements in sport

Irek Gimaev (hockey player) for many years played in leading teams of championships. The USSR national team at that time also won the most prestigious trophies. Therefore, the list of awards he has is quite impressive. During his long career Irek became a three-time world champion - in 1979, 1982, 1983 - and once, in 1985, a bronze medalist. In total, at the World Championship Gimaev scored 5 goals in 25 games played. He became the owner of the Canadian Cup in 1981. At this tournament, they played 10 matches in which he scored one goal. He also won the European Champions Cup. It does not play the main rival of our athletes - the national team of Canada, so Gimayev in the USSR team easily won it from 1979 to 1986. The hockey player became the owner of the Challenge Cup in 1979 and the seven-time winner of the USSR championship. As part of the strongest CSKA Gimayev along with his star team were the clear favorites of our hockey of the time. For 356 matches held Irek scored 40 goals in the opponent's goal. Gimayev for his huge contribution to Russian hockey was awarded a medal "For Labor Distinction" and the Order of the "Badge of Honor".

Family status

Irek Gimaev has been married for a long time. His eldest son was carried away by ball dances. In this sport he is a three-time world champion. The younger son followed in the footsteps of his father, but professionally in hockey he does not play. He performs in the Moscow amateur league.

Irek Gimaev for a long time was one of the best defenders of domestic hockey. It is difficult to find an athlete with the same number of awards. Irek Gimaev - a hockey player, a biography, which did not always develop smoothly. But despite the injuries and other troubles, he always showed stable hockey. After completing his professional career, Gimayev held various administrative positions. At the moment he develops the Night Hockey League and amateur hockey in general. His invaluable experience is undoubtedly necessary for the development of this sport.