Legend No. 17

Opening in 1956, the film follows Kharlamov's boyhood as his mother's Spanish roots hint at a cosmopolitan upbringing. The chaos and energy of the Running of the Bulls frame his early life and foreshadow the path that will shape a legendary hockey career. The scene establishes the personal background that will later influence his drive.

Kharlamov moves to Moscow where he meets legendary coach Anatoly Tarasov. Tarasov begins a road of discovery, sending him to Chebarkul to join Zvezda and adapt to tougher hockey. He returns to Moscow at season's end, and Tarasov invites him to CSKA Moscow to test his character.

Kharlamov and a friend join the local team Zvezda in Chebarkul, facing a harsher, lower-league system. He proves his skill and grit through the season, enduring a tougher style of play. After the season ends, he returns to the capital.

Tarasov invites Kharlamov to join CSKA Moscow, initiating a rigorous evaluation of his character and willingness to devote his life to hockey. The move marks the transition from a testing phase to a full professional pathway. The invitation signals the start of his rise within Soviet hockey.

Kharlamov rises through the ranks to become one of CSKA Moscow's leading attackers and a key figure for the USSR national team. Tarasov builds a lethal attacking trio around him with Mikhailov and Petrov. This ascent occurs amid intense national pressure and high expectations.

The curator Balashov pressures Kharlamov to align with the party line and sign papers against Tarasov. Kharlamov refuses to bend to political interference, maintaining his loyalty to his coach. He recounts his stance to Tarasov as a defining moment of character.

Amid growing professional demands, Kharlamov's romance with Irina Smirnova provides emotional support. Their relationship offers him steadiness during challenging times on and off the ice. The romance humanizes the rising star within a demanding regime.

A controversial match between the USSR and Spartak Moscow triggers a crisis when Tarasov's protest leads the team to walk off the ice. The fallout unsettles Kharlamov and casts a pall over the national program. The event highlights the intensity of politics and pressure surrounding Soviet hockey.

The turmoil is followed by a biographical shift that includes a serious leg injury in a car accident a few years earlier. He undergoes surgery and enters a long rehabilitation, determined to return strong for what lies ahead. The incident becomes a pivotal setback in his career.

After surgery, Kharlamov begins a careful rehabilitation, determined to be ready for the Summit Series against Canada. A new coach, Bobrov, is appointed to lead the national team and ensure his inclusion in the historic expedition. Tarasov accompanies the team to the airport, offering lingering words on the eve of departure.

The Soviet team arrives in Montreal amid Canadian confidence and media scrutiny. A journalist and TV pundits frame the heated series, while a mocking caricature under Bobrov's door signals the tense atmosphere. The stage is set for a dramatic showdown.

When the puck drops, Kharlamov's speed and skill cut through rough play, and a slash aimed at his compromised knee tests his resolve. He refuses to leave the ice, returns after a moment of doubt, and helps fuel a late offensive surge. The team seals victory with the seventh goal, finishing 7-3 as a testament to leadership, resilience, and collective effort.