In 1989, Soviet Red Army defenseman Slava Fetisov left his home country. He had played 13 seasons for the Red Army club, CSKA Moscow, forced into what was essentially military service (with sticks and pucks instead of guns) at age 16.
He didn't defect from the USSR -- instead, with patience and help from Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello, Fetisov waited and pressured Soviet leaders until they caved.
It was the fall of hockey's Iron Curtain, and it paved the way for hundreds of Russian players to leave and play -- professionally and for millions of dollars, something the communist system never allowed -- hockey anywhere in the world.