Igor Larionov
Igor Nikolayevich Larionov (
Russian:
Игорь Николаевич Ларионов; born
December 3,
1960 in
Voskresensk,
Soviet Union, now Russia) is a
Russian former
ice hockey player. With
Viacheslav Fetisov, he was instrumental in breaking the barrier that stopped Soviet players from joining the
NHL. He primarily played the
center position and is considered one of the best passers of all time.
Larionov played for the following teams:
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Khimik Voskresensk (1977-81)
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CSKA Moscow (1981-89)
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Vancouver Canucks (1989-92)
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HC Lugano (1992-93)
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San Jose Sharks (1993-95)
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Detroit Red Wings (1995-2000, 2000-03)
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Florida Panthers (2000)
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New Jersey Devils (2003-04).
He won three
Stanley Cups with Detroit (1997, 1998, 2002) and played two games for the Swedish team Brunflo IK in the 2005-06 season, producing one goal and three assists. Incidentally, Brunflo was the same team that his former linemate in CSKA Moscow and the Soviet Union, Vladimir Krutov ended his career at ten years earlier.
On the international stage, playing for the
Soviet Union, Larionov centered
Vladimir Krutov and
Sergei Makarov on the famed
KLM Line. He won two golds (
1984,
1988) and one bronze (
2002) in the
Olympics, and four golds (1982, 1983, 1986, 1989), one silver (1987), and one bronze (1985) in the
World Championships. At the forefront of the Soviet players' battle to win their freedom, Larionov was kicked off the national team by head coach
Viktor Tikhonov after suspicion of
defection. Only the lobbying of Fetisov and other players brought Larionov back to the squad.
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Larionov at Hockey CCCP International
