The Hall of Fame Career of Igor Larionov

He played into his 40s and always played well. He was one of the smartest players of his time.
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[@bc5299]

my larionov story you might find interesting. krutov and larionov are drafted and show up at canucks training camp in victoria. my buddy and I decide to wander down from our office and check out the canucks training camp at memorial arena over our lunch hour. we are standing at the rail at the top of the stairs watching the practice and quietly another guy wearing a suit joins us on the rail watching the drills. we turn and look over and see it's igor larionov. before we can acknowledge him he is approached by a teenaged girl seeking an autograph. the four of us stood there in a little group and we had the opportunity to overhear their conversation. it was obvious that the young girl was special needs and wanted not only an autograph but was very excited to share her involvement in her sport, bowling. he took a deep and genuine interest in her, engaged her in conversation about her bowling and was supportive of her and their conversation flowed. larionov was very generous with his time, their conversation was natural and totally unrushed on his part and for those few minutes she had his total undivided attention. his humanity and authenticity shone. since 72 I had loved to hate everything russian but igor larionov changed that. observing him that day showed me that igor larionov is a superstar human that was also a heck of hockey player.

[@closethockeyfan5284]

It's as if people all over the world generally mind their business and have no reason for ill will toward people just like them on the other side of the world.

[@WarioSaysSo]

"The Professor" Igor Larionov - Iconic member of the "Big Red Machine" + "Russian Five". - Triple Gold Club member 1997. - Hockey Hall of Fame member 2008. - 3-time Stanley Cup Champion: 1997, 1998 & 2002 (Detroit Red Wings). - 2-time Olympic gold medalist: 1984 & 1988 + 2002 bronze medalits - 4-time IIHF World championship gold medalist: 1982, 1983, 1986 & 1989 + 1987 silver medalist and 1985 bronze medalist - 1981 Canada Cup gold medalist + 1987 silver medalist & 1984 bronze medalist. - 8-time Soviet League Champion: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 & 1989 (CSKA Moscow). - Soviet League MVP in 1988. - Drafted 214th overall, by Vancouver Canucks in 1985. - 15 NHL seasons - representing 5 teams: Vancouver Canucks (89-92), San Jose Sharks (93-96), Detroit Red Wings x2 (96-00 & 01-03) & Florida Panthers (00). - 1 NDA season - representing; HC Lugano. - 12 Soviet League seasons - representing 2 teams: Khimik Voskresensk (77-81) & CSKA Moscow (81-89).

[@abrahamlincoln9758]

He threw the first punch(more of a hug) in the BIG brawl for Fight Night at the Joe.

[@eirikrdberg1161]

He was like Gretzky in many ways. Looked like him at times and played five years longer in terms of age. Gretzky retired at 38, Larionov at 43/44. Looked great at 40. Debut in NHL at 30. Just think how many pts and cups he could have had if he started at 18.

[@Aut0KAD]

I think at the time he was known as the Russian Gretzky for that reason

[@edwarddobrowolski9398]

He was a brilliant player for us in Detroit

[@tiagomaia1365]

Larionov, epitome of high IQ and finesse hockey player.

[@johanjotun1647]

I've been telling everyone how happy I would be to see Him coaching the Wings.

[@abrahamlincoln9758]

D-mac started that rumor and I'm here for it!

[@lionized_wingnut]

@Johan Jotan 100% AGREED! @Abraham Lincoln ...about D-Mac ...yes and no... There were articles in both the Det. News & Freep naming The Professor a coaching candidate the day following the Blashill firing as well as the "Mlive" and Bally Sports also calling Igor a candidate on the day of Blashill being fired or the next day. It was all over Metro Detroit / Michigan based media... Thanks guys for being WingNutZ!!! #LGRW #Yzerplan

[@jleif7736]

He just signed a coaching contract with another team.. It won't happen. I'm a wings fan, and I just don't get this cities obsession with nostalgia. Yeah Larionov was great for us, but I have seen 0 evidence that would make him a game changing coach for us. I don't care who we get as our coach, I want them to be the best available coach to do the job, I don't want a coach because of nostalgia though. It's dumb, and Yzerman surely won't think that way as well.

[@lionized_wingnut]

@El Nasty ...nothing nostalgic about a man named by so many former teammates on film for his outright intelligence, high hockey IQ and incredible communication skills. As to KHL coaching contracts? Money talks even through the barriers of the current Russo-Ukranian War! If GM Yzerman wants Larianov bad enough the Nizhniy Novgorod Torpedoes or the Russian U-20 team could not hold onto him. Most European contracts compared to the NHL are for peanuts and can be easily bought out! Aside from the fact that those online articles of Russian coaching positions Larianov filled are MORE than one year old! Any current information??? For THU 09 JUNE 2022??? Larianov coaching even as an assistant for the very weak overall play of DRW Centers at Traverse City before becoming a DRW scout is NOT nostalgic ...let alone his being named Head Coach. By this time in 2 years the DRW roster will easily have 50% or more of its players being of European origins. Blashill and any other North American coach could not and will not command the same respect Igor Larianov commands given his international medals and 3 Stanley Cups! Nothing nostalgic about commanding respect of younger NHL players in 2022 and going forward!!! BOOM ...there it is!!! #LGRW #Yzerplan

[@ianmillerdevilsfan1223]

That Garpenlov-Larionov-Makarov line basically carried the Sharks to game 7 of the 2nd round in 1994.

[@martybraga4832]

The "Ov" line was awesome!

[@DavidMartinez-cq3hx]

The "Ov" line along with Arturs Irbe "Like Wall"😆

[@deepbushleague]

garpenlov hits the crossbar then they come back and score to beat the sharks. yes u got to see world class hockey with these 2 players. makarov larionov

[@andytitcomb9463]

When the Sharks got Larionov and Makarov it was so fun to watch, they knew where each other were on the ice with out looking.

[@bobroberts2067]

Kucherov reminds me so much of Larionov with his passes: the anticipation, the accuracy, the no-lookers, the deception, the puck often on it's way almost simultaneously with it's arrival on his stick. Their vision and hockey IQ, their creativity...so eerily similar. Kuch has a more balanced shot/pass ratio than Igor did, Igor was like Adam Oates, a master passer. It was as much of a pleasure watching #7 then as it is watching #86 now.

[@drunky4091]

After Bolts won the cup, Kucherov got a hold of Larionov’s number, rang him and told him that he was his hero growing up. I imagine he modelled his game after him. He’s also cited watching the way Patrick Kane plays as a huge influence. You can really see it in how he skates around the ice and does all the little brilliant things.

[@johnarchibald6]

Igor and Kozlov were the godfathers to Datsyuk, I loved watching these guys play in the 90s

[@davidkruse4030]

Datsyuk never played with Kozlov

[@johnarchibald6]

@@davidkruse4030 I didn't say he did I'm saying they were the ones who paved the way for his style of play

[@jean-philippedoyon9904]

You guys need to watch the documentary Red Army...the Russian Five were monsters and Larionov, the professor, was a big part of it !

[@HalfyManBearPig]

amazing documentary!

[@Dr-Alexander-The-Great]

Excellent documentary, I have the blu Ray

[@Bjornontour]

A Swedish documentary,right?

[@jean-philippedoyon9904]

@@Bjornontour No the American one from 2014 by Gabe Polsky...it follow the career of Slava Fetisov and the Red Army team story in the height of the COld War till the end...it's amazing !

[@jeffthewhiff]

Igor was unquestionably a great hockey player, even though his offensive stats were not overwhelming while he played in the NHL, but he brought much more to the game of hockey than just his offensive totals. When all of his trophies and stats between the Russian teams he played for and his NHL career, he definitely deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

[@theawayfan6052]

An absolute stud, one of the best thinking players to ever lace up the skates. He could really do it all, a great all around player. And his OT winner against the Canes in the 02' finals is ledgendary. LGRW🐙🏒🤘

[@glennlee1983]

Met Mr. Larionov at a booking signing...very very nice man...still one of my all time favourite players...

[@GRChrzak]

Always liked the ceremony the Wings had for fans in 2002 following that Cup win. Larionov thanked fans and the team, and had fun mentioning his brief vacation in Florida in 2000.

[@djmips]

One of my all time favorite players.

[@swedreamhack5308]

Great player and a real beauty in almost every aspect of the word. It's hard to believe he was 35 in his first season with Det, you couldn't tell if you saw him. It's tempting to think about what could have been if Soviet (and Europeans in general) players were a common sight in NHL during the 70-80's. Can you imagine how NHL would look right now without Russian/Cze/Euros? We'd have Kinkaid and Elliot battling to face-off against Kuemper in the finals 😂

[@jonathangarmuth8975]

Igor played alot of hockey, his wisdom and skill helped his teams undoubtedly

[@theruscan]

I still remember as a kid probably over a decade ago, I came home to him at my house with my parents. Ended up signing everything possible that I owned hockey related and in the morning woke up to him leaving me a blue/red Graf hockey bag. Hell of a player and hell of a guy.

[@1bert719]

Commonwealth of independent states followed the USSR. Though the 92 Olympic team was the "Unified" team.

[@dustyb58]

I always feel so lucky to have watched both Larionov and Datsyuk on my favorite team. Detroit had a lot of great great players but those two were so incredible that sometimes you'd watch them instead of whomever had the puck.

[@ZomBiE519_]

Igor Larionov should be the next coach of the Detroit Red Wings, in a perfect world anyways.

[@jleif7736]

wings fans need to stop gripping onto the past, and move on. Larionov doesn't seem like a fit for our team, we need to start winning, not do experiments and pray it works. He also just signed a contract to coach a different team overseas, he won't be coming over.

[@ZomBiE519_]

@@jleif7736 he's been coaching the Russian JR program and the Russian Olympic program, Detroit is a young team. Seems like a perfect fit. I was told he signed with another team to coach in Russia yet I can't seem to find any news of that. In my mind only thing keeping this from happening is the fact that he's in Russia.

[@YetiSmasherOhnO]

Growing up in the '90s as a Michigander was a stroke of pure luck. The Russian Five put that dazzling, Soviet spell on our opponents. Sight to behold!

[@redwing3150]

The Professor. One of the smartest players ever. Really wish the Wings would bring him back in some coaching capacity. He'd be great for those young players coming up.

[@wilseph1]

The Professor!

[@DavidMartinez-cq3hx]

As a longtime Sharks fan Igor Larionov was my first favorite Shark player. The 1st two seasons were both fun as new hockey fans but tough because the Sharks were so bad especially the 2nd season. When Dean Lombardi got Larionov and Makarov that 3rd season it was fun to watch those two elite players play. I will never forget that famous 1994 upset of Detroit and Larionov played a big part of that upset along with Arturs Irbe, Sandis Ozolinsh and Bob Errey's leadership. I will also never forget the "Ov" line of Larionov, Makarov and Johan Garpenlov.

[@sallybags9090]

I worked for a moving company. I moved Larionov 2 times. He's a awesome guy. He signed my Larionov jersey and he gave me one of his autographed sticks.

[@mikebennett146]

Despite not being a prolific goal scorer, he was super fun to watch and was a very good player. His skating was flawless, absolutely fantastic. One of the best skaters the game has ever seen. And his hockey IQ was rare

[@MetronomeGamez]

Another great career video Shannon! Now let’s get that Joel Ward career video.

[@richardferguson6893]

Great career recap. I remember randomly seeing Igor with Jack MacIlhargey in a little corner store in North Burnaby right after he had arrived. I remember being surprised that he wasn't bigger. Gutted when he left Vancouver.

[@mattcraig163]

The Professor. Absolutely one of my favorite Wings of all time.

[@willhughes2196]

If only he would coach the Wings. But thank you Professor for your time in Detroit.

[@Aut0KAD]

I was a redwings fan in 91. Once the Russian 5 was put together, I knew it was only a matter of time before they won a cup. It was an amazing dynasty.

[@christhornycroft3686]

If only Igor had come in earlier or been younger when he broke into the NHL. By the time he joined the Canucks, the guy was basically passed his prime. He was still an outstanding player and a very smart player, as evidenced by his longevity, but I think he could have been one of the greats of the 80s, at least in terms of passing, if he'd played with a scorer in the NHL throughout the 80s. Unfortunately, he only played with Pavel Bure in Vancouver briefly, and by the time he got to Detroit, he still had some really good years, but it's not what it could have been and he was basically playing behind Yzerman and Fedorov, basically the equivalent of Crosby and Malkin today in their primes. Bure went on to score 60 goals back to back without an elite passer (mainly with Murray Craven in '92-93 and '93-94, from what I remember, but maybe with Cliff as well, who was a pretty good passer himself). I remember Dan Russell on SportsTalk on CKNW in the mid 90s saying, If only he had an elite playmaker on his line. LOL anyone remember Rick Girard? He was supposed to be Bure's future centre. I think they showed some chemistry one preseason, but of course it never panned out. But Larionov could have been considered an all time great of the 80s in the same league as Mario and Wayne (at least in the passing department), but because of where and when he played and how late he joined the big league, it wasn't to be. I always enjoyed him though.

[@stefanconradsson]

Me and the hockey guy are about the same age I guess, but I am Swedish and the amount of damage Igor Larionov did to Swedish hockey during the 80s can not be overstated. He traumatized me. If he had gone to the NHL ten years earlier his status in north America would have been greater. And I say this as a Swede .. he is one of the best players I have ever seen. I rank him up there with Gretzky and Lemieux. A side note: Krutov, his linemate in CSKA ended his career in a lower league in Sweden, severely overweight and possibly an alcoholic. Could still score though. Cheers 🍺

[@rcl1955ca]

Would love to see a career video on Mike Liut, he had an interesting career both on and off the ice. It would be great to see a salute to HNIC on CBC.

[@scottamundson1523]

Another factor they endured was when they were released to come over they had to give up some of their contract which some of the teams that drafted them did or didn't pay

[@KelleyShepherd23]

Love the professor!!! 😻😻😻🙌🙌 great video!

[@shaunchappell784]

For those that never got to see these early Russian players in the league, I cannot tell you enough just how good they were. Tough, skilled, fearless, competitive, committed, brave!! These men were hated by other teams and they were brutalized on a nightly basis........they may not have always fought with fists, but they certainly let their game do the talking. The most recent example I can think of is the Sedin's, quiet and reliable but they played their whole careers in the dirty areas, and were called whimps!!!

[@zakk3153]

The professor!

[@gocanuckurself1]

I was literally just going to request this, searched it to see if you’ve done Igor yet, and found out you JUST did this a day ago lol.

[@gorjanninkovski935]

A true GREAT!

[@dronlaa]

Thank you for geat video about one of the smartest players and great man.

[@HolyPire]

That 80's Soviet Team.... wow what a hockey... you could be lucky to have the puck once a game against them lol

[@faunbudweis]

The Professor had a key role in those Wings Cups in 97 and 98

[@sallybags9090]

Also in 02, he played amazing in the Cup finals. He scored that triple OT game winner.

[@faunbudweis]

@@sallybags9090 how could I have forgotten about that :) he also helped Datsyuk to adjust in a big way; being Czech, there are very few russian players I really respect, but Larionov and Datsyuk are two prominent ones; Fetisov, sadly, became Putin's puppet..

[@MiroHeinonen]

Actually, Larionov made it to the Hall of Fame in his second year of eligibility. He was the unfortunate one to get snubbed in 2007, as that class had four other first-time eligibles going in first ballot: Francis, MacInnis, Messier and Stevens.

[@SaishuuKessen]

Boy I feel like this really glossed over that san jose stuff. Larionov was one of the best players that 93-94 year and got MVP votes. He was the best player those playoffs before the sharks finally got knocked off. It also doesnt mention in 94-95 larionov and constantine were butting heads, and there was all that team drama all around. They thought larionov had to much power, and they started trading away all the players that helped make them what they were the year before. Constantine was even benching larionov to prove a point that he was the leader of the team. I used to have the links to a lot of old groups for reporters and what not that talked about it and its a interesting deep dive. I know ive talked about it on my channel a bit as well in videos. There was a lot going on... Anyway but ya really glanced over a lot of larionov stuff.. I mean people forget that first year the sharks only won THREE games when larionov was not in the line up. And then when constantine finally agreed with larionov to play the OV and norton and ozolinsh as a 5 man unit the sharks had one of the best records in the league that year believe it or not. Again glanced over because people want to believe in the upset of the sharks over the wings.. but look at the sharks record when larionov was not injured and once they started playing the OV line.. sharks had a better record than the wings that year for a good chunk of that.

[@miketammaro5609]

Larionov was awesome. Kinda like a current day Philip Danualt but better and consistently good on both sides of the ice.

[@scowlistic]

Looking good in Red bro.

[@RUTHAN667]

Good job, i would like to see careers of Dino Ciccarelli, Robert Reichel and Dale Hawerchuk

[@mattoiler9714]

Fedorov was my fav Russian player with the OV at the of their names in the 90s and bure too.

[@KelleyShepherd23]

I am jonesing for the professor to come coach in Detroit… heck anywhere… infinite leadership!

[@Rob-uc8zr]

yes yes yes yes yes, now come coach the Wings back to greatness!

[@sharxboy]

In San Jose he was known as the "Professor", I don't know if that was just here, but it makes sense.

[@dangermartin69]

Detroit as well.

[@davismavis2834]

Love the Professor. Did you hear Fedsy is likely to be the next Red Wings coach?

[@williamsteffey3434]

There are people that say Larionov in his prime when he was playing in the USSR was the best hockey player EVER. I’ve heard people say that if he could’ve come to the NHL at 18, Gretzky’s records would have long ago been broken. No way to know if that’s true…but he has the reputation of being an all time great.

[@lukebruce5234]

I doubt it. He was worse than both Krutov and Makarov.

[@mmusser19]

He also has his own line of wines and once saved his neighbors when their house was on fire.

[@MegaStara]

Great career to a great player, but you forgot to mention that season 92-93 somewhere else was Swiss league.

[@WolverineIncognito]

You forgot to mention his nickname: The Professor!

[@cohengamertv6548]

That russian teenage stage was called the Commonwealth of Independent States

[@Ghosty18866]

Valeri Kamensky career vid pls

[@TylerMorganShow]

Nice!!

[@griffenb]

It was a tragedy the Canucks didn't retain him. He was the perfect guy to pair with a young Pavel Bure. The Canucks never found Bure a proper centre.

[@pvhep4036]

Wasn't it the reason that Detroit took him due that San Jose beat them in a great upset loss in the playoffs that year? With Larionov on the Sharks?

[@gungho8180]

Larionov, a champion..."Which early on in his career didn't look like that was gonna happen, because he was drafted by Vancouver!" Oh man. I lost it a that one. Poor Nucks fans. Vancouver and Buffalo currently tied for second in longest cup drought at 50 years each. I want to know who people think is going to break it first between the two.

[@eirikrdberg1161]

Buffalo win cup in 2028.

[@lankancheetah]

Funny enough people also thought that about the Wings until 97. "Dead wings / things" then perennial chokers until it all came together.

[@jamescorwin7432]

The best backhand passer other than Gretzky

[@ll7868]

Canucks had Bure & Mogilny together for a while, imagine if Igor was their center. I Iiked him in Vancouver but he was so much better with the Red Wings. '89 was a turning point in the NHL with former Soviet and Chech players being drafted, Mogilny chose that number because the Iron Curtain fell that year.

[@ll7868]

Oops, had to edit, instead of AlMo I said Jagr chose 89, he wore 68 in honour of his grandfather.

[@carlnilssonyoung8961]

@@ll7868 jagr 68 becoz of the Prague spring uprising against USSR in Czechoslovak.

[@BeastOfMetal1989]

I believe it was called the Commonwealth of Independent States.

[@robdugas4476]

As a Wings fan, I loved Igor Larionov. His nickname in Detroit was "the Professor". In the game against Colorado ( yes, that game), he actually kicked off the festivities by wrestling Peter Forsberg. Within in seconds, McCarty was getting revenge against Lemiuex (sic) and a brawl ensued. When all was saide and done, Larionov looked no worse gir wear while Forsberg was bleeding from his eye. Larionov was the consummate gentleman but not that game.

[@robdugas4476]

@@matthewdaley746 bring all the salt you can. It still won't change Patrick Roy getting smoked by little Mike Vernon (same altercation). Sorry.

[@robdugas4476]

@@matthewdaley746 so, your big cone back is that the Wings failed to win one more Stanley Cup in three years than Colorado has won in their history? Good come back...

[@robdugas4476]

Ha ha. Matt Daley deleted his responses. He made an outlandish claim that the Avalanche has won about a half dozen Stanley Cups. I guess he realized he was out IG his element. Good luck, Matt Daley.

[@metamoralia]

Maybe the classiest player ever ....

[@TylerMorganShow]

93 94 canucks

[@UncleAnaesthesia]

Igor "99 Awareness Rating" Larionov

[@Bjornontour]

Was that guy fit,both in head and body!!

[@andyyoung1585]

Commonwealth of Independent States is what USSR became.

[@zach9848]

Mike Keane career vid pls?

[@klompsauce]

One of my favourite Red Wings! P R O F E S S O R

[@theawayfan6052]

The OG "Great Eight" LGRW🐙🏒🤘

[@serfindukdb1776]

pretty awesome that Rob Niedermayer made a really short list with the likes of Fetisov, Sakic & Crosby... huh?? what's that?? Rob has an older brother who also played in the NHL? never heard of him...

[@bryannewcombe858]

C.I.S. - Commonwealth of Independent States.

[@jakerobins9059]

Thg, as a flyers fan who do you think would be a better pickup for us in the draft, Nemec or Savoie?

[@davismavis2834]

Was it the "CIS" Commonwealth of Independent States. Or something like that

[@saundersinlinehockeybakers240]

“Russian Federation” post-USSR??

[@romanroncato3929]

Well... Slava Fetisov made at least two mistakes - when he fought Wendel Cark, and when his sloppy defending allowed Matteau to score that goal in 1994 ECF game 7.

[@reyjusuf]

Commonwealth of Independent States

[@TylerMorganShow]

Hof nice

[@edalder2000]

*Commonwealth of Independent States

[@imnotyourfriendbuddy1883]

Commonwealth of Independent States. CIS

[@imgriffm4426]

I didn't know he was in the hall of fame. I'm kinda surprised he is actually. 600 points in 900 games don't really scream hall of fame. You think of guys like Alfredsson, Mogilny, etc.

[@TheHockeyGuy]

Because it's not the NHL hall of fame. There are players in the hall who didn't play in the NHL.

[@imgriffm4426]

@@TheHockeyGuy Yeah true, his international career is quite impressive.

[@v4v819]

As weak a Hall of Famer there has been... Soon they will be letting your grandma in... Russian grandma!