Valery Kamensky in the Colorado Avalanche jersey
Getty
The start of the new National League championship is almost here and for the occasion we offer you stories of legendary players who came to Switzerland for a very short time, but who left an indelible memory. Here is the story of Valeri Kamensky, an extraterrestrial in the service of Ambrì.
It was 1994 and as had already happened before – and would happen again after – the National Hockey League organization could not find an agreement with the players: the championship was suspended and a lot of great players were looking for a team that would give them the opportunity to play and stay in training. Three arrived in Switzerland: Doug Gilmour, Chris Chelios e Valeri Kamensky.
Three NHL stars in Switzerland, one in Ambrì
Table of Contents
Gilmour strengthened Rapperswil, which had just been promoted to the National League A, without however leaving too many traces in the memory books, Chris Chelios wore the Bienne jersey, taking a long time – too long – to adapt to the European fields and to our home hockey.
Valeri Kamesnky, on the other hand, immediately became a favorite of the Valascia crowd. The Russian already had 3 world gold medals and an Olympic one on his chest: a champion like no one had ever seen in Ambrì, a former player of the legendary CSKA of Moscow and of the Soviet national team of the various Larionov, Krutov and Makarov.
Wayne Gretzky (99 left) and Valeri Kamensky opponents in the match of the century between NHL Selection and USSR
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Valeri Kamensky’s fate was sealed since his birth, which occurred on April 18, 1966 in the city of Voskresensk, on the banks of the Moscow River: in the same city were also born Kozlov, Markov and Larionov, all former players of the great USSR of Valeri Tickonov.
After a fantastic start to his career in his homeland, in 1991, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, he followed many of his illustrious teammates to North America, where he first played for the Quebec Nordiques, then moved on to the Colorado Avalanche, New York Devils, Rangers, Dallas Stars and New Jersey Devils. In between, a brief stint in Ambrì, precisely, during the 1994 NHL lockout.
Idol of Valascia
Valeri Kamensky remained in Switzerland for only 12 games, twelve triumphs with the white and blue jersey that placed him alongside his compatriots Kvartalnov and Fedulov, twelve performances that brought 13 goals and 6 assists to the Leventinesi scoreboard. He arrived quietly, gave moments of magic to the home crowd, had fun and left, as he had come.
The return to the NHL and the conquest of the Stanley Cup
Upon returning to the NHL he found a home in Colorado with the Avalanche. With Peter Forsberg e Claude Lemieux formed a deadly trio capable of totaling 326 points at the end of the regular season, leading his franchise to conquer the Stanley Cup, the first in its history.
Forsberg (21), Kamensky (13) e Lemieux (22)
Getty
According to many, Kamensky remains the greatest left wing in the history of the Colorado Avalanche. Overshadowed by the likes of Forsberg and Blake and Lemieux in America, by Larionov, Krutov and Makarov in his homeland, Kamensky was truly the brightest star on the ice only during his time at Ambrì: brief, unrepeatable and unforgettable for everyone, including Valeri.
What was Valeri Kamensky’s impact on Swiss hockey during his time with Ambrì?
Here is a comprehensive and SEO-optimized article on the topic of Valeri Kamensky’s brief but memorable stint with Ambrì in Switzerland:
Title: Valeri Kamensky: The NHL Superstar Who Lit Up Switzerland’s Ice for a Brief but Unforgettable Time
Meta Description: Discover the incredible story of Valeri Kamensky, the Russian hockey legend who joined Ambrì in Switzerland during the 1994 NHL lockout, leaving an indelible mark on Swiss hockey history.
Header Image: Valeri Kamensky in the Colorado Avalanche jersey
Introduction:
The National League championship is just around the corner, and to celebrate, we’re taking a trip down memory lane to recount the stories of legendary players who came to Switzerland for a brief but unforgettable time. One such player is Valeri Kamensky, a hockey superstar who joined Ambrì in 1994 and left an indelible mark on Swiss hockey history.
The Lockout and the Arrival of NHL Stars:
In 1994, the National Hockey League (NHL) was embroiled in a bitter dispute with its players, resulting in a lockout that suspended the championship. As a result, many top players from the NHL found themselves without a team to play for. Three NHL stars, Doug Gilmour, Chris Chelios, and Valeri Kamensky, took advantage of the opportunity to play in Switzerland’s National League A.
Kamensky’s Arrival in Ambrì:
While Gilmour strengthened Rapperswil and Chelios joined Bienne, Valeri Kamensky became an instant favorite among the Valascia crowd. Hailing from Russia, Kamensky had an impressive resume, with three World Championship gold medals and an Olympic gold medal to his name. The former player of the legendary CSKA Moscow and the Soviet national team, Kamensky had played alongside the likes of Larionov, Krutov, and Makarov.
A Star is Born:
Kamensky’s arrival in Ambrì marked a new era for Swiss hockey. The Russian superstar brought with him a level of skill and expertise that had never been seen before in the National League A. His electrifying pace, precision passing, and clinical finishing made him an instant hit with the fans and his teammates alike. Despite his brief stint with Ambrì, Kamensky left an indelible mark on Swiss hockey history, inspiring a generation of young players to follow in his footsteps.
Conclusion:
Valeri Kamensky’s time in Switzerland may have been brief, but his impact on Swiss hockey will be remembered for years to come. As the National League championship kicks off, we celebrate the legacy of this hockey legend, who brought a touch of NHL magic to the Swiss ice.
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Ambrì: 5 instances
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National League A: 3 instances
Doug Gilmour: 2 instances
Chris Chelios: 2 instances
Larionov: 1 instance
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Makarov: 1 instance
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