Yevgeni Belosheikin

Yevgeni Vladimirovich Belosheikin (Евгений Белошейкин) (April 17, 1966 – November 18, 1999) was a professional ice hockey player who played in the Soviet Hockey League. He played for the HC CSKA Moscow and SKA Leningrad. He also played on the Soviet Union's 1987 Canada Cup and Rendez-vous '87 teams. He was nicknamed "Evgeny the Great" and was touted as the next Vladislav Tretiak – and had even been tutored by Tretiak and wore his number 20, though their styles bore little resemblance.[1]

Yevgeni Belosheikin
Born	(1966-04-17)April 17, 1966 Nevelsk, Soviet Union
Died	November 18, 1999(1999-11-18) (aged 33) Saint Petersburg, Russia
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb)
Position	Goaltender
Caught	Left
Played for	SKA St. Petersburg HC CSKA Moscow
National team	Soviet Union
NHL Draft	232nd overall, 1991 Edmonton Oilers
Playing career	1983–1997

In 1986 Belosheikin was named the outstanding goaltender of the 1986 IIHF World U20 Championships in Hamilton, Canada. During the tournament the U.S.S.R went undefeated, winning 7 games and surrendering only 14 goals. A year later he was also named the outstanding goaltender in the 1987 Calgary Cup, a pre-olympic tournament that took place just before the 1987 Canada Cup. On New Year's Eve 1986, Belosheikin led the Soviets to a 4-1 win over Canada. Belosheikin would end his international career on February 2, 1988 with a 4-1 win in an exhibition game against Finland.

Though he was considered the heir apparent to Vladislav Tretiak as the next great Soviet goaltender, Belosheikin suffered problems with alcoholism. After being drugged and robbed after a night of drinking with teammate Alexei Gusarov, he suffered liver and vision problems, which hastened the end of his career. In 1991 the Edmonton Oilers selected him in the 11th round, 232nd overall in the NHL Entry Draft, though Belosheikin reported to camp that year, he was immediately sent to the Oilers Cape Breton affiliate where he played only 3 games. Belosheikin never did play a game in the NHL.

Belosheikin committed suicide on November 18, 1999.[2]