Some wondered what such a legend in the men’s game was doing with the women, given his total lack of experience and seeming interest in the women’s game. Some wondered how or what he could do to improve the team given that the goals were simple: perform well at the 2013 Women’s Worlds and prepare for a medal run in Sochi in February 2014.

“I think for the ladies it’s a great gift for the new year,” Ice Hockey Federation of Russia president Vladislav Tretiak, himself a legend, commented of the new appointment. “Alexei is a fine man who did a lot for our country. The solution will benefit both our coaching staff and give new challenges to the general manager.”

Yashin played pro hockey for 21 years. He appeared in 850 NHL games with Ottawa and the Islanders over 13 years and played the last five years of his career in the KHL. In international play, he won a gold medal at the 1992 World Juniors and another gold at the senior level a year later. He later added an Olympic silver (1998) and bronze (2002) to his resume as well as a bronze at the 2005 World Championship. His last appearance came at the 2006 Olympics where Russia finished fourth.

One thing was clear, though: once he took control of the team, he took action. Yashin replaced coach Valentin Gureyev, who had taken the team to a 6th-place finish in 2012, with Mikhail Chekhanov. The GM and new coach then changed the roster significantly, and in a country without a huge talent pool, the moves were aggressive and decisive.