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Datsyuk shines in tribute game
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They held a farewell match for Detroit Red Wings Hall of Famer Pavel Datsyuk on Saturday in Yekaterinburg, Russia. And when it’s your farewell match, it’s only fair that you get to pick the teams.
So naturally, the Magic Man chose the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring leader to play on his side. And it paid off.
Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, the author of a record 897 NHL goals. scored a hat-trick to lead Datsyuk’s team to a 13-8 victory in what was billed as The Magic Game.
After a very beautiful intro, Pavel Datsyuk took to the ice and recreated some of his legendary goals
“A brilliant mind and golden hands” pic.twitter.com/OrlWygXulD
— Uggg (@Uggg_uggg) August 30, 2025
Datsyuk assisted on one of Ovechkin’s goals. He also assisted on an Ilya Kovalchuk tally. Datsyuk scored two goals of his own, including the final tally of the game. It was fitting that No. 13 should score his team’s 13th goal in what was the testimonial match saluting his Hall of Fame career.
Playing his entire NHL career with the Red Wings from 2001 to 2016, Datsyuk won two Stanley Cups, four Lady Byng Trophies, and three Selke Trophies. He was officially given his Hall of Fame enshrinement earlier this year.
Sergei Fedorov and Datsyuk teamed up to win a Stanley Cup together in Detroit, and they teamed up for a goal in this game. Fedorov set up one of Datsyuk’s tallies. Fedorov also assisted on an Ovechkin goal and scored one of his own.
FAREWELL MAGIC MAN 🙌
A final lap for Pavel Datsyuk. #TheMagicGame #LGRW pic.twitter.com/TFMdN2TERz
— Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) August 30, 2025
The game featured a who’s-who of Russian NHL stars past and present. Viacheslav Fetisov, another Red Wings Hall of Famer, also played on Datsyuk’s side. The Magic Man’s team also included Valeri Kamensky and Nikolai Khabibulin.
The opposing team’s roster included Kirill Kaprizov, Alexey Morozov, Alexander Semin, and Maxim Afinogenov.
Unfortunately, the world political situation since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine made it impossible for several of Datsyuk’s Red Wings teammates to travel to the country to participate in the game. He admitted that this was disappointing.
“I was lucky enough to play with many pros and masters during my career,” Datsyuk told Match.tv. “I would like to see my Detroit teammates — Nicklas Lidstrom, Chris Chelios, Steve Yzerman, Valtteri Filppula, and Henrik Zetterberg. They supported me throughout my career.
“The guys weren’t able to come, but they will always be by my side.”
Datsyuk is still working in the game. As the development coach for Avtomobilist of the KHL, he’s helping to mold the team’s future players. And even though some of them may be too young to recollect Datsyuk’s playing days, they still marvel at the skill set the Magic Man delivers on the ice at the age of 47.
“It was hard to take your eyes off his actions on the ice,” Avtomobilist prospect Dmitry Isaev told the official KHL website following a recent practice. “A person of such a skill level can do anything with the puck. You never know what to expect from him.
“Pavel told us the nuances that he himself learned in his time. Despite the development of hockey, they still work. In my opinion, Datsyuk’s advice will work forever.”
The Daily: Kane Seeks Third Shot at Olympic Gold; Penn State Heads Outdoors
Red Wings Influence on CSKA Moscow Victory
Match Penalty For Red Wings Prospect in Swedish Game
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