Viktor Hatulev

Viktor Hatulev (Hatulevs, Khatulev, Khatulevs February 17, 1955 - October, 1994 in Riga, U.S.S.R., now Latvia) was hockey player from Dinamo Riga. In 1975, Viktor Hatulev, became the first ice hockey player from the Soviet Union drafted by the National Hockey League but never had a chance to play, as Soviet players were not allowed to play for foreign teams.

Playing career

Viktor Hatulev played for Dinamo Riga in 1970's. In Latvia, then a part of the USSR, ice hockey was the number one sport. Riga's Dinamo, under Viktor Tikhonov, rocketed into the big league and competed with Moscow teams as an equal.

There arose new hockey star Viktor Hatulev. He played in first World Junior Championships in Leningrad and second World Junior Championships in Winnipeg and Brandon, Manitoba. The two unofficial tournaments helped set stage for first official World Juniors in 1977. Viktor Hatulev was best player in World Youth hockey championship in 1974/75 and 1973/74 he was the best goal scorer.

In 1975 at age of 20 he was drafted by NHL team Philadelphia Flyers. Thus Viktor Hatulev become first Soviet-born and trained player ever drafted by an NHL team.

But instead of getting to play in North America he was banned from Soviet hockey for five years in 1975 for fighting, though the suspension was later lifted. He was not allowed to leave USSR as well.

Though there are rumors that he was banned from playing because he was drafted, in order to prevent other players to think about playing in foreign countries and Americas teams to forget that they might get any Soviet players.

He himself learned that he was drafted only in 1978 when he returned to hockey after suspension was lifted. He played also 6 games for Team USSR in 1977 – 1978 in Izvestia Cup, Moscow.

He turned down offer to move to Moscow and play for USSR Central Red Army hockey club, instead preferring to remain in his native Latvia. (It should be mentioned that in Soviet times most of the best players were transferred to central army club while disobeying to it resulted in punishment.)

Viktor Hatulev was banned for lifetime from Soviet hockey league in 1981 for his rough play.

NHL Draft

- Selected by Philadelphia Flyers round 9 #160 overall 1975 NHL Amateur Draft
- Selected by Cleveland Crusaders round 9 #116 overall 1975 WHA Amateur Draft

In 1975 Philadelphia made history in becoming the first NHL team to draft a Soviet player. The Flyers took Viktor Khatulev from Riga with a ninth-round pick. Though there were no chances to get this player out of USSR, Philadelphia still wasted its rights in Draft.

After hockey career

After Viktor Hatulev was banned for lifetime from Soviet hockey league in 1981, he became a taxi driver after his hockey career ended. He later worked in a warehouse and struggled with alcoholism. He had also served time in prison for dealing drugs during his playing days.

Viktor Hatulev was found dead in mysterious circumstances on a street at age 39 in 1994.

Awards & achievements

*World Junior Championships - Gold (1974)
*World Junior Championships Points Leader (1974)
*World Junior Championships - Gold (1975)
*World Junior Championships Best Forward (1975)
*World Junior Championships All-Star First Team (1975)

Career statistics

References

*http://www.chidlovski.com/personal/1974/ussr/index.htm
*http://www.kulichki.com/fedorov/topics/j6.htm

External links

* [http://www.chidlovski.net/1954/54_player_info.asp?p_id=k012 Victor Khatulev Player Profile on Arthur Chidlovski site]
* [http://www.kulichki.com/fedorov/topics/j6.htm Тайна Виктора Халтуева]
* [http://www.sass-a-thon.com/2006_01_01_archive.html Bob Clarke and Philadelphia Flyers]