Putin shows off hockey skills outside the Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin on December 22 participated in a friendly match of a night hockey tournament held on Red Square, just outside the Kremlin, RT reported.

The Russian President's team included Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu and several famous Russian hockey players, such as legends Viacheslav Fetisov, Sergey Fedorov and Pavel Bure.

The final result was that the red team, with Mr. Putin on board, won 9-3, although Russian media did not specify how many goals the President scored. Mr. Putin scored 7 goals in a match in 2015, to celebrate his 63rd birthday.

President Putin only started playing ice hockey when he was in his 50s. Former sports minister Viacheslav Fetisov introduced the sport to the Russian leader. In recent years, Putin has been seen regularly on the ice wearing his signature number 11 jersey.

The Night Hockey League (NHL) was launched in 2011 as an initiative proposed by President Putin. The league aims to make hockey more popular in Russia and attract older people by playing games in the evening so they can play after work.

According to VNE