Legendary Soviet and Russian ice hockey coach Viktor Tikhonov has died at age 84.
State-run First Channel television said Tikhonov died on November 24 after a long illness.
Known for his iron-handed coaching style, Tikhonov guided the Soviet Union to eight world championships and to Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1988, in addition to gold for a combined team of former Soviet republics in 1992.
He coached the intimidating Soviet team that was upset by the United States in a 1980 Olympic semifinal match known as the "Miracle on Ice."
His CSKA or Red Army team dominated Soviet hockey in the 1980s and won more than 10 national titles.
In his playing days, he was a defender with the Soviet Air Force team and Dynamo Moscow.
Tikhonov's grandson, also named Viktor Tikhonov, grew up in the United States and now plays for SKA St. Petersburg in Russia.
President Vladimir Putin expressed condolences to Tikhonov's family and friends on November 24, the Kremlin said.
