In a commentary for socialbites.ca, the renowned Russian coach Vladimir Plushev shared a candid assessment of the greatest defenders in the history of national hockey, spanning eras from the Soviet period to modern times. He highlighted Vyacheslav Voynov, the 33-year-old defenseman for Kazan Ak Bars, as someone whose work on the ice earns him serious recognition, even from a coach with a long memory for the sport’s legends. Plushev’s reflections place Voynov within a broader conversation about the sport’s defensive greats, inviting readers to compare contemporary players with a lineage of influence that stretches back to the toughest seasons and the heaviest battles on the rink.
