Sergei Kharin

Sergei Anatolievich Kharin is a Russian former professional ice hockey player.

Playing career

Kharin played 11 seasons in his native Russia for Krylya Sovetov before being selected as a 26-year-old in the 12th round, 240th overall, of the NHL Entry Draft by the Winnipeg Jets. He played briefly in the National Hockey League for the Winnipeg Jets and Krylia Sovetov Moscow. He was the first Soviet-born player to play a regular-season game for the Jets. He also played on the Soviet Union's 1987 Canada Cup team, as well as for the Muskegon Fury in the United Hockey League.
Internationally, Kharin was a member of the Soviet national team. He appeared in two World Junior Championships and won a gold medal in 1983.

On January 22, 2016, Kharin was named the Director of Hockey Operations for the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League. Following the firing of former head coach John Gruden on February 17, 2016, Kharin was named the interim head coach of the Firebirds. The next day, OHL commissioner David Branch suspended the Firebirds' owner Rolf Nilsen and his appointees on the management and coaching staff, including Kharin, from hockey operations until further notice.

Sergei's son Anton played for three years at Rochester Institute of Technology before joining the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the International Hockey League in 2009. Sergei, who played for the Muskegon team when it was known as the Fury, came out of retirement to play one more game on April 10, 2009, sharing a forward line with his son on the Lumberjacks. They became the first father and son to skate together in the IHL.