BY SHENG PENG

Before Alexander Mogilny, before the Stastnys, there was Vaclav Nedomansky. In 1974, the 30-year-old Czechoslovakian pivot, considered by some to be the best player outside of the NHL, became the Iron Curtain's first hockey star to defect to North America.

For over 40 years, "Big Ned" has kept mostly quiet about his trailblazing career. But the proud 72-year-old, who recently beat lower abdominal cancer, is now ready to open up.

Vaclav and his son Vashi, a film editor who consulted on both "Deadpool" and "Gone Girl," are collaborating on "Big Ned," a feature-length documentary about the Nedomansky family’s harrowing escape from the Eastern Bloc to Canada. Check out the trailer here. They’re shooting for a 2017 debut....

SP: So was beating the Soviets in ‘69 the most satisfying moment of your career?

VN: Probably I had more moments like that. But obviously, it was one of the best feelings. Because I don't know if somebody else could beat Russia in the World Championship twice. After all, they tried to tell us that Russia is the best at everything. But we knew it was not true. It wasn't that important in the end. But it was great at the time because all the Czechs and Slovaks were cheering for us. And so was all the world.

SP: What was more satisfying than that?

VN: One of the happiest moments was when I immigrated to Canada. Because that way, I was a free man. I could develop not only as a hockey player, but as a person. That was for me and my family probably my strongest feeling and most important in my career.

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