When the Golden Eagles take to the Salt Palace ice tonight at 7 against Peoria, they'll have a historical figure in their lineup.
Center Sergei Priakin, sent down for the week by the Calgary Flames, is the first Soviet player to ever join a National Hockey League team with the blessings of his country's hockey federation. He is the second Soviet national to ever play in the NHL - the first played only three games in 1982-83 for Los Angeles.Born in Moscow, the 26-year-old is expected to play three games this week for the Eagles, two against Peoria in the Palace on Tuesday and Thursday, and one at Phoenix Saturday. In six games with the Flames, he has one goal, a game-winner, and one assist and no penalty minutes. Priakin is 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds.
"He should be able to help. It will be exciting to watch him play," says Eagle Coach Bob Francis, who said Priakin's visit is both for his own conditioning and to help the Eagles with their personnel problems (four injuries, three callups to Calgary).
The Eagles will also have another import making his home debut - Jonas Bergqvist of Sweden, sent down Friday by the Flames. He played two road games and had one assist.
"They've both played in world-class competition and are obviously very skilled," Francis said.
Francis seemed to think the Flames will hold onto the three Eagles called up Thursday for a while yet. Marc Bureau, Ken Sabourin and Stu Grimson "were an integral part of Calgary's success," Francis said. The slumping Flames, defending Stanley Cup champions, won both of the games in which the Eagle trio played. "They performed well," Francis said.
With Martin Simard iffy, the Eagles could skate a man short again tonight, even with Priakin and Bergqvist in the lineup. Simard underwent an appendectomy Nov. 28. "He's very close," said Francis, who'd rather be careful.