Tarasov is considered "the father of Russian ice hockey" and established the Soviet Union national team as "the dominant force in international competition".

Tarasov also played and managed in the sport of football, but is best known for his work in developing the USSR's ice hockey program.

After World War II, Tarasov was asked by the Ministry of Sports of the USSR to put together a hockey program from scratch.

The Russian style of hockey, with its emphasis on skating skill, offense and passing, is still heavily influenced by bandy.

It was his ideals and philosophies that shaped the Russian game into what it is today - fast, graceful, non-individualistic, and patriotic.

Tarasov was a player-coach for HC CSKA Moscow in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and coached notable players, including Boris Afanasiev, Aleksandr Komarov, Grigory Mkrtychan, Nikolai Sologubov, Andrey Starovoytov, and Dmitry Ukolov.

They were followed by other great players who would represent the Soviet Union in the 1972 Summit Series against Canada, including Boris Mikhailov, Vladimir Petrov, Valeri Vasiliev, Alexander Maltsev, Valeri Kharlamov, Viacheslav Fetisov, and a brilliant young goaltender named Vladislav Tretiak.

Tarasov was a big factor in the development of Tretiak, who was destined to become one of the most skillful and cherished goalies in international history.

[5] Tarasov was known for his ruthless training methods, tough discipline among his players, and innovative, instinctive decisions.

[11] When referencing Canada, the Soviet Union's long-time rival, Tarasov famously said "the Canadians battled with the ferocity and intensity of a cornered animal".