Igor Larionov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Igor Larionov |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 2008 | |||
Larionov in 2008
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| Born | 3 December 1960 Voskresensk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
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| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) | ||
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st 2 lb) | ||
| Position | Centre | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Khimik Voskresensk CSKA Moscow Vancouver Canucks Lugano San Jose Sharks Detroit Red Wings Florida Panthers New Jersey Devils |
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| Current KHL coach | Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod | ||
| National team |  Soviet Union and Russia |
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| NHL Draft | 214th overall, 1985 Vancouver Canucks |
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| Playing career | 1977–2006 | ||
Igor Nikolayevich Larionov (Russian: Игорь Николаевич Ларионов; born 3 December 1960) is a famous Russian ice hockey coach, sports agent, and former professional player. People called him "the Professor" because of his smart play. Many consider him one of the best hockey players ever.
Igor Larionov, along with Viacheslav Fetisov, helped change the rules in the Soviet Union. They pushed the government to let Soviet players join the National Hockey League (NHL) in North America. His career lasted a long time, from 1977 to 2006, and he mostly played as a centre.
Larionov won the amazing Stanley Cup three times with the Detroit Red Wings (in 1997, 1998, and 2002). He was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame on 10 November 2008, which is a huge honor. He was also part of Detroit's famous "Russian Five" group of players. His success in international games was also recognized when he joined the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2008.
Contents
Playing Career Highlights
Starting in the Soviet League (1977–1989)
Igor Larionov began his hockey journey in the Soviet League. He played for Khimik Voskresensk in the 1977–78 season. He quickly improved, and by 1980–81, he was getting a lot of attention.
The famous coach Viktor Tikhonov invited Larionov to play for his team, CSKA Moscow. The next season, Larionov joined CSKA Moscow as the top centre. He played with Vladimir Krutov and Sergei Makarov. This group became known as the "KLM Line" and was incredibly strong in both the Soviet League and international games.
Later, two defensemen, Viacheslav Fetisov and Alexei Kasatonov, joined them. Together, these five players formed the "Green Unit." They were called this because they wore green uniforms during practice. Larionov was named the Soviet MVP in 1988.
Fighting for Freedom to Play
Even though he was successful, Larionov didn't like the strict rules of the Soviet hockey system. Coaches kept players in special training facilities for almost a year, even if they were married. Larionov spoke out against this, saying it was hard for players to be away from their families for so long.
He also talked about strange injections that national team players would get. Larionov said he refused one injection before the 1982 World Championships and was never asked again.
Larionov was a leader in the fight to let Soviet players join the NHL. He was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in 1985 and wanted to play in North America. When he talked about playing in the NHL, his coach tried to stop him from traveling with the team. But other players, like Fetisov, helped him get back on the team.
Joining the National Hockey League (1989–2004)
After many years of speaking up, Larionov was finally allowed to join the Vancouver Canucks in the 1989–90 season. Many other Soviet players, including his "Green Unit" teammates, also left around this time. They were "sold" to help the Soviet sports organization get money.
Larionov played three years for the Canucks and got better as he learned the North American style of play. In the 1991–92 season, he played with young star Pavel Bure and helped him a lot.
After his contract with the Canucks, Larionov played one year in Switzerland. Then, in 1993–94, he joined the San Jose Sharks. There, he played with Sergei Makarov again. He helped the Sharks improve a lot and even upset the strong Detroit Red Wings in the playoffs.
The Russian Five and Stanley Cups
In the 1995–96 season, Larionov was traded to the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings coach, Scotty Bowman, really wanted Larionov because he was a great all-around player. Larionov could play on both the power play (when his team has more players) and the penalty kill (when his team has fewer players).
Larionov became a key part of the Red Wings' "Russian Five" group. He and Fetisov were like older brothers to the other Russian players on the team. This group included Sergei Fedorov, Vyacheslav Kozlov, and Vladimir Konstantinov.
Larionov was a very important player when the Red Wings won two Stanley Cup championships in a row, in 1997 and 1998. That summer, Larionov and his Russian teammates made history. They brought the famous Stanley Cup home to Russia for the very first time.
In 2000, Larionov briefly played for the Florida Panthers, but he was soon traded back to the Detroit Red Wings. He helped the Red Wings win another Stanley Cup in 2002. He scored the winning goal in a very long Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes, which went into triple overtime!
He played his last NHL season for the New Jersey Devils in 2003–04. His former teammate, Viacheslav Fetisov, was an assistant coach there. Larionov finished his playing career with two games for a Swedish team in 2005–06.
International Hockey Success
| Olympic medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's ice hockey | ||
Representing  Soviet Union |
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| Winter Olympics | ||
| Gold | 1984 Sarajevo | |
| Gold | 1988 Calgary | |
| World Championships | ||
| Gold | 1982 Finland | |
| Gold | 1983 West Germany | |
| Gold | 1986 Soviet Union | |
| Gold | 1989 Sweden | |
| Silver | 1987 Austria | |
| Bronze | 1985 Czechoslovakia | |
| World Junior Championships | ||
| Gold | 1979 Sweden | |
| Gold | 1980 Finland | |
| Canada Cup | ||
| Gold | 1981 Canada | |
Representing  Russia |
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| Winter Olympics | ||
| Bronze | 2002 Salt Lake City | |
Igor Larionov had an amazing international career playing for the Soviet Union. He was the centre for the famous "KLM Line" with Vladimir Krutov and Sergei Makarov. Along with defensemen Viacheslav Fetisov and Alexei Kasatonov, they formed the "Green Unit." All five of these players also played for CSKA Moscow.
Larionov won two gold medals at the Olympics for the Soviet Union (in 1984 and 1988). He also won a bronze medal for Russia at the 2002 Olympics.
At the World Championships, Larionov won four gold medals (in 1982, 1983, 1986, and 1989). He also won one silver medal (1987) and one bronze medal (1985). He was a key player for the Soviet team that won the 1981 Canada Cup. This tournament was where the "KLM Line" really showed how good they were. He also played in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey for Russia.
Larionov is one of only six players in the world to achieve a special honor called the IIHF Triple Gold Club. This means he has won an Olympic Gold medal, a World Championship Gold medal, and a Stanley Cup. He also won the Canada/World Cup and a World Junior Championship Gold. The other five players are Viacheslav Fetisov, Joe Sakic, Sidney Crosby, Scott Niedermayer, and Corey Perry.
Because of his great international career, Larionov was added to the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2008.
Life After Playing Hockey
In 2008, Igor Larionov was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was the sixth player born in Russia to receive this honor.
After retiring, Larionov continued to be involved in hockey. In 2008, he became the director of hockey operations for the Russian hockey club SKA Saint Petersburg. He also works as a player agent, helping other hockey players.
In 2011, he was chosen to be part of the Hall of Fame's selection committee for three years.
In 2020, Larionov became the head coach of the Russian junior team. He coached them for the first time at the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. In 2022, he became the head coach of Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL league.
Personal Life
Igor Larionov is married to Elena Batanova, who used to be a figure skater. They have three children: Alyonka, Diana, and Igor Larionov II.
Besides hockey, Igor Larionov is also a professional wine merchant. He makes wines under names like "Hattrick" and "Triple Overtime." The "Triple Overtime" wine company is named after his winning goal in the third overtime period of Game 3 in the 2002 Stanley Cup Finals.
Career Statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1977–78 | Khimik Voskresensk | USSR | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1978–79 | Khimik Voskresensk | USSR | 32 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1979–80 | Khimik Voskresensk | USSR | 42 | 11 | 7 | 18 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1980–81 | Khimik Voskresensk | USSR | 43 | 22 | 23 | 45 | 36 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1981–82 | CSKA Moscow | USSR | 46 | 31 | 22 | 53 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1982–83 | CSKA Moscow | USSR | 44 | 20 | 19 | 39 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1983–84 | CSKA Moscow | USSR | 43 | 15 | 26 | 41 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | CSKA Moscow | USSR | 40 | 18 | 28 | 46 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | CSKA Moscow | USSR | 40 | 21 | 31 | 52 | 33 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 | CSKA Moscow | USSR | 39 | 20 | 26 | 46 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | CSKA Moscow | USSR | 51 | 25 | 32 | 57 | 54 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | CSKA Moscow | USSR | 31 | 15 | 12 | 27 | 22 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 74 | 17 | 27 | 44 | 20 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1990–91 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 64 | 13 | 21 | 34 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | ||
| 1991–92 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 72 | 21 | 44 | 65 | 54 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 4 | ||
| 1992–93 | HC Lugano | NDA | 24 | 10 | 19 | 29 | 44 | 8 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 0 | ||
| 1993–94 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 60 | 18 | 38 | 56 | 40 | 14 | 5 | 13 | 18 | 10 | ||
| 1994–95 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 33 | 4 | 20 | 24 | 14 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 2 | ||
| 1995–96 | San Jose Sharks | NHL | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 69 | 21 | 50 | 71 | 34 | 19 | 6 | 7 | 13 | 6 | ||
| 1996–97 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 64 | 12 | 42 | 54 | 26 | 20 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 8 | ||
| 1997–98 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 69 | 8 | 39 | 47 | 40 | 22 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 12 | ||
| 1998–99 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 75 | 14 | 49 | 63 | 48 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 1999–00 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 79 | 9 | 38 | 47 | 28 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 2000–01 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 26 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 39 | 4 | 25 | 29 | 28 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | ||
| 2001–02 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 70 | 11 | 32 | 43 | 50 | 18 | 5 | 6 | 11 | 4 | ||
| 2002–03 | Detroit Red Wings | NHL | 74 | 10 | 33 | 43 | 48 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 49 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06 | Brunflo IK | SWE-3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| USSR totals | 457 | 204 | 230 | 434 | 295 | — | — | — | — | — | ||||
| NHL totals | 921 | 169 | 475 | 644 | 474 | 150 | 30 | 67 | 97 | 60 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Soviet Union | WJC | 5 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | |
| 1980 | Soviet Union | WJC | 5 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | |
| 1981 | Soviet Union | CC | 7 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 8 | |
| 1982 | Soviet Union | WC | 10 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 2 | |
| 1983 | Soviet Union | WC | 9 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 4 | |
| 1984 | Soviet Union | OLY | 6 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1984 | Soviet Union | CC | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| 1985 | Soviet Union | WC | 10 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | |
| 1986 | Soviet Union | WC | 10 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 4 | |
| 1987 | Soviet Union | WC | 10 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 2 | |
| 1987 | Soviet Union | CC | 9 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| 1988 | Soviet Union | OLY | 8 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 4 | |
| 1989 | Soviet Union | WC | 8 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 | |
| 1996 | Russia | WCH | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2002 | Russia | OLY | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 4 | |
| Junior totals | 10 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 12 | |||
| Senior totals | 103 | 36 | 51 | 87 | 67 | |||
Awards
- Soviet League champion – 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
- Stanley Cup champion – 1997, 1998, 2002
