Career
Maltsev played for Dynamo Moscow in the Soviet League for 530 games from 1967 to 1984. He was one of the few stars not to play for CSKA Moscow. A six-time Soviet all-star, he led the league in scoring in 1970-1971 and tied with Valeri Kharlamov for Most Valuable Player in 1971-1972.
Maltsev was on the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics team during the 1972 Winter Olympics, 1976 Winter Olympics, and 1980 Winter Olympics, winning gold in 1972 and 1976 and silver in 1980.
In the famous 1980 Olympic hockey game against the United States, dubbed the "Miracle on Ice," Maltsev scored the Soviet"s final goal which, at the time, gave his team a 3-2 lead. He was named the best forward at the IIHF World Championships three times, leading the tournament in goals once and total scoring twice.
He made the world championship all-star team on five occasions. Maltsev"s 213 career goals in international play were the most by any Soviet player.
According to National Hockey League.com, Maltsev was Alexander Ovechkin"s childhood idol.