Defection of Wings great Fedorov was a leap of faith

Toronto — Even 14 seasons after he left the team, Sergei Fedorov remains a compelling figure for Red Wings fans.

At the public question-and-answer session with the players inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame Saturday, he answered a series of questions from fans about his defection from Russia, his decision to leave the Red Wings, the retirement of his number (91) and even the cereal once named for him — Fedorov Crunch.

About the defection, in his quiet voice and gentle demeanor, Fedorov was expansive, adding some details to the public record.

"Well, I was a really young man, 20 years old, and I played four seasons for the Red Army Moscow club.

"One day I realized something was going to go funny with the country. I don't know how I understood that, but I figured out hockey was probably not going to be the most important sport in the country."

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Fedorov's instincts were right. In the Glasnost era under former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, the old economy was disrupted and spending on sport decreased, affecting the remnants of the Red Army team.

"Detroit did a good job of drafting me and letting me know what they want," Fedorov said.

In Portland, Oregon, prior to the 1990 Goodwill Games, Fedorov said, "I had a few conversations with representatives, through an interpreter, with Vice-President Jim Lites, at the time."

When the Russian team crossed the border to play in the States, Fedorov made his move, which involved his roommate, Sergei Tchekmarev, a man larger than Fedorov.

Tchekmarev is still the Wings team masseur.

"I was the last guy off the bus and I went into the hotel with my roommate and I told him, 'I don't know what's going to happen to you, but here's all my money. I hope you want it because I'm leaving for Detroit.'

"He said, `Come on, let's go to dinner.' Then I got nervous, because I didn't think he believed me, and I thought he was going to grab me and put me in the elevator and take me to the coach.

"But we're good friends. Eventually I somehow convinced him to go into the elevator without me. And I then saw that Jim Lites was waiting for me, sitting across the hall.

"So with the only few words (of English) I know I went up and said to him, `Ok, Jim, let's go.'

"We went through the back door of the hotel and we drove away to the airport. And four hours later, at six in the morning, we were in Detroit."

A Red Wings fan asked Fedorov two other questions: Did he ever eat Fedorov Crunch, the cereal named for him, boxes of which are still available on websites? And why did he leave the Red Wings?

"Yeah, I tried that cereal," he said. "But it was a long time ago. I probably have a couple of boxes laying around the house. But that's not good to eat now. Good picture on it, though!"

Fedorov paused and looked down before continuing.

"Second question, not easy. But I didn't really want to do it for any kind of reasons. After all, I spent 13 seasons playing for the Red Wings.

"But, unfortunately, hockey is not only a fun game but sometimes, and this particular time, it becomes a business. So, I am going to blame the agents!"

Another fan asked, "How do you plan to celebrate when the Red Wings finally retire 91?"

Fedorov smiled, clearly appreciating the question. And the knowledgeable Wings fans in the audience applauded and laughed.

"To answer the question, probably with my family and a few friends," he said, and left it at that.

But he clearly liked the idea.

gregg.krupa@detroitnews.com

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