Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix Preface xi 1. The Prague Spring 1 2. The European Project 29 3. The Beginning of the Czech-sodus 67 4. The Juniors 111 5. The Russians Are Coming 145 6. The Young Ones 200 7. The Last Defector 239 Index 265

About the Author

Tal Pinchevsky was born and raised in Montreal. Since moving to New York in 2001, Tal has written primarily about sports and popular culture for a variety of print and online publications, including the New York Times , ESPN the Magazine , Rolling Stone , the New York Post , Spin , the Source , Men's Fitness , Time Out New York , The Hockey News , and Madison Square Garden's web site, MSG.com. He is currently a staff writer and producer for NHL.com.