The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, preferred to celebrate his 63rd birthday on the ice last Wednesday by playing hockey. The celebration pitted the NHL Stars against Russian officials and tycoons.
Team Putin includes NHL legends Vyacheslav Fetisov and Pavel Bure, which beat the opposing team that composed of Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu as well as Putin's close friends -- tycoons Gennady Timchenko and Arkady Rotenberg. The score was 15-10.
Putin scored seven points leading his team to victory, and was given a trophy for his team's win at the end of the game as well as a medal for his contribution to hockey in Russia.
According to New York Times, Putin is known for his great love of sports and fitness. In 2011, Putin, together with Russian hockey stars, senior officials and long-time associates, founded the amateur hockey league that has games regularly broadcast in National Television.
Earlier before the game, Defense Minister Shoigu briefed President Putin about the Russian air force operation in Syria.
The Russian President stepped in the ice as the Russian television started to broadcast intense footages of Russian cruise missiles fired from a warship in the Caspian Sea, which brought light to the night sky.
The game was also broadcast live on Russian Television.
Celebrations are also done all over Russia for the birthday of their most revered leader.
In a report by Fox News, Putin's social media fan club in Moscow held an exhibition of portraits of Putin. It showcased various real and fictional characters, including Che Guevara, Father Christmas, Jupiter and Buddha. Putin's avid followers in Grozny, the capital of Chechnya, and the officials there hosted a soccer game featuring Italian veterans to celebrate the 63rd birthday of their president. The organizers also unfurled a banner covering the entire football pitch that read: "The best president. Happy birthday!"
There are reports last year that the Russian president have cut ties with civilization and holed up in the Siberian wilderness far away from populated areas for his 62nd birthday.
