The message reads, in part:
“You were one of the best forwards in the history of Russian and world ice hockey. Together with your teammates, you wrote triumphant pages in the victorious chronicle of the legendary ‘ice brigade‘ and became a real hero for millions of fans. Your work as a trainer and mentor also deserves huge recognition, as does your big personal contribution to developing hockey in Russia and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, especially among young people.”
As part of the USSR national team, Vyacheslav Starshinov was two-times Olympic champion (in 1964 and 1968) and won the world championship gold medal nine times (1963–1971).