The acclaimed documentary film The Russian Five directed by Joshua Riehl is now playing in U.S. movie theaters ahead of a national expansion to Seattle (4/26), Los Angeles (5/3), New York (5/31) and many more to be announced soon.

The documentary – winner of multiple film festival audience awards – tells the story of the first five Russians to play hockey together in the National Hockey League (NHL) and how they helped transform the Detroit Red Wings from perennial losers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions.

Toward the end of the Cold War the Red Wings hatched an audacious plan to draft the best Soviet players from behind the Iron Curtain and help them defect to Detroit, sneaking them out under cover of night and whisking them to the Motor City where they won the fans’ hearts and changed the way hockey is played in North America forever.

“The Russian Five left a lasting legacy on the game of hockey and this documentary dives into not only what they accomplished on the ice to bring a Stanley Cup to Detroit, but also the human side of the story, including their incredible journey from the Soviet Union to Detroit that required cloak and dagger efforts worthy of your favorite Cold War spy novel,” said Russian Five director Joshua Riehl. “With never before seen home videos, game footage from some of the most iconic moments of the NHL in the 90’s and interviews with over 10 Hall of Famers, whether you’ve been a lifelong hockey fan or you’re new to the game, The Russian Five is must-see viewing!”