Louis Blues and Dallas Stars Hull switched to #17. In 2001, the Red Wings signed Brett Hull, who had worn #16 for the bulk of his stellar career with the St. Konstantinov's jersey #16 has not been officially retired by the Red Wings however, out of respect for Konstantinov, no player has been given the number since. During the celebration ceremonies after winning the Stanley Cup Vladimir was pushed around the ice in his wheelchair with the Cup on his lap. The Red Wings had his name engraved on their 1998 Stanley Cup. Throughout the playoffs the Red Wings' catchphrase was the single word, "Believe," and throughout the 1997–98 season the Red Wings wore a patch, with the initials of Konstantinov and Mnatsakanov featured prominently, with the word "Believe" written in both English and Russian.Īlthough Vladimir was never able to play hockey again due to the car crash, the Detroit Red Wings still recognized him as part of their team. Konstantinov was wheeled onto the ice, surrounded by his teammates, to celebrate the win. It was an emotional scene one year later as the Red Wings successfully retained the Stanley Cup. Mnatsakanov sustained heavy head injuries and also spent some time in a coma he has had a considerably more difficult recovery. He also suffered from serious head injuries and paralysis while Fetisov escaped with relatively minor injuries and was able to play the following season. Konstantinov spent several weeks in a coma before finally pulling through.
VLADIMIR KONSTANTINOV LICENSE
The driver, Richard Gnida, whose license was suspended at the time for drunk driving, lost control of the limousine and hit a tree on the median of Woodward Avenue, just north of Birmingham in Oakland County. However, Konstantinov's career is not remembered so much outside Detroit for what happened on the ice as for how it ended.įollowing a private party on Jcelebrating the Red Wings’ Stanley Cup triumph, Konstantinov, along with Russian hockey legend Vyacheslav Fetisov, and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov hired a limousine to drive them home. In 1996–97, his final season, Konstantinov was runner-up to Brian Leetch) for the Norris Trophy, given to the league's best defenceman. The +60 has been the highest rating a player has finished with in the past 20 seasons, since Wayne Gretzky finished with a +70 in the 1986–87 NHL season. He earned the NHL Plus/Minus Award in 1995–96, with a plus/minus difference of plus-60. Konstantinov was more than a pest, as some had taken to calling him he was a skilled player. I need someone to start thinking about me and forgetting about scoring goals." Konstantinov's aggressive style of play also earned him the nickname "The Vladinator." He was also part of the unit known as "The Russian Five," which consisted of defensemen Vladimir Konstantinov and Vyacheslav Fetisov, and forwards Igor Larionov, Sergei Fedorov, and Vyacheslav Kozlov. "For my game," he explained, "I don’t need to score the goal.
Scout Neil Smith remembers, "He was the only one of the Russians who fought back." Probably the most notable aspect of his hockey career was his aggressive style, specializing in getting opponents off their game. Vladimir Konstantinov, "Vladdie," was drafted 221st overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings, after impressing a Red Wings scout at the 1987 World Junior Championships, where a brawl broke out in the Russia/Canada game.
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