The name of Anatoly Vladimirovich Tarasov (1918-1995) is associated with the era of grandiose victories of the USSR hockey team and the CSKA hockey club in the 1960s - early 1970s. The first European and the first coach in general, he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto in 1974 - and this is the highest honor in the hockey world, which was awarded to few, especially in those years. At the same time, there is hardly a figure in the history of Russian sports that is more controversial and causes so much controversy and polar judgments as Tarasov. Some idolize him, calling him “the father of Russian hockey,” others accuse him of intrigue and self-promotion. But the scale of what he did is recognized by everyone. The author of the book, sports journalist and historian Alexander Gorbunov talks about the personality of the outstanding coach and the achievements of Soviet hockey during the “golden” decade.