Way to go, Slava!

Former Red Wings defenseman and Russian hero Slava Fetisov is making a comeback in a Kontinental Hockey League game this evening. He's gonna play for CSKA Moscow tonight against first-place SKA.

That's the same age Gordie Howe was when he last played in the NHL, in 1979-80 with the Hartford Whalers. Cheli, who's with the Chicago Wolves of the AHL, is a mere 47.

And Slava's still a double-threat: He's listed on the CSKA roster as a defenseman and team president.

For the record, he's just a temp on the defense. President Fetisov is filling in because the team has injury problems.

"We urgently need one more defender," coach Sergei Nemchinov said. "Fetisov practices constantly and has agreed to help the team."

Fetisov played for CSKA for a decade, starting in 1978, before jumping to the NHL. He retired in 1998 at age 40.

And the way Wings injuries are mounting up, maybe they should keep his number handy, too.
------------------------------------

There're some of today's comments on this story from all over the World down here:


- That's so cool! Most men are happy when they can digest red meat at 51!

- That's cool! In his prime, he was as good of a D as Bourque or Lidstrom.

- He won’t be the same as he use to be in the 80's and 90's but I'm happy he's playing again.

- That’s the great news. One of the greatest player ever on the ice. Fill a little envy to Russians.

- Would love to be able to watch the game. I doubt he could still throw it at the pace of todays game and his age considered, but man it would be nice to watch him throw another one of his patented hip checks out there again. Nobody I have ever watched could do it better than Fetisov used to in his time.

- Awesome! Fetisov helped a lot of russian players settle here in the U.S. and was the go to guy who could "correct" russian mafia threats to players and their families. Classy dude. Go Fetisov!

- WOW what a great story, Fetisov is an iron defenseman and, despite being a Bruins fan, I loved watching him play with the Red Wings.
Good luck, Slava, I'll try and catch some of your games on the KHL official site (KHL.ru), which shows next-day online broadcasts of some truly great hockey. Plus, it's the only way you'll see some all time greats like Jaromir Jagr and Alexei Yashin.