Later this month, the Philadelphia Flyers alumni will be travelling to to Russia to play three games, and one of those games will be played in the Red Square in Moscow.
Former Flyers defenceman Joe Watson, who won the Stanley Cup with Philadelphia in 1974 and 1975, helped organized the tour, and he also confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to play against the Flyers alumni during their tour.
As per Dave Isaac of the Courier-Post, Watson had this to say when asked about Putin playing: “They never release Putin’s schedule until 24 hours before because of security reasons, so Putin, if he’s around, he wants to play the game against us.”
Watson was also asked if he and the Flyers alumni would go easy on Putin, and he had a great response: “I don’t know about that,” Watson said. “He’ll have to earn it from us as far as we’re concerned. We may be stuck in Siberia, but what the hell? We’ll have a good time."
Putin has a history of playing hockey, for those that don't know.
In an exhibition game in 2015, Putin scored 8 goals in 18-6 win agains a team of retired NHLers.
In 2016, Putin hit the ice for the annual Night Hockey League gala and he performed well in that game, too.
He's also laced them up with Ovi, Malkin, Mogilny, and more in his hockey career.
Knowing how much he loves the game and how much he's played it over the years, it's no surprise Putin wants to face the Flyers alumni when they visit
Russia, and we imagine he'll find time in his busy schedule to make an appearance.
As for Watson, on the other hand, he'll be the only player from the 1976 game between Philadelphia and the Soviet Central Red Army team playing in the three games in Russia.
The Flyers won that game back in 1976 4-1 and Watson scored a goal in the win.
(H/T: NHL.com and Courier Post)
