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Last week a true gentleman was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Though Igor Larionov had a stellar NHL career, that included 3 Stanley Cup rings with the Detroit Red Wings, this forward nicknamed the ‘Professor’ will always be known for his dominating play on the international circuit.
Larionov, who didn’t start his NHL journey until the age of 29, first made a name for himself in 1979, when he dominated with 6 points, in pacing the Russians to a victory in the World Junior Championships.
During that same tournament there was a scrawny kid involved named Wayne Gretzky, who of course today is the all time leading NHL scorer, and knows a little about evaluating talent.
“Everyone knows that Igor was such a great player,” said Gretzky. “His passing and vision were spectacular and he was one of the brightest students of the game He was always learning, always helping and always teaching.”
Larionov was also instrumental in leading the Soviet Union past Canada in the 1981 Canada Cup. His best years in international hockey came with the famed Red Army team, where he dominated, with fellow line mates Sergei Makarov and Vladimir Krutov, on what was called at the time – ’the greatest line in hockey history’.
In his prime, the Professor was known for engineering headlong offensive rushes at full speed, before hitting the breaks and making accurate passes to the trailing defenseman.
It wasn’t until 1989 that NHL fans got to see him on a regular basis, as he kicked off what was a stellar 14- year career,that saw him register 169 goals, 475 assists and a plus 104.
In Vancouver he was a steady influence on a young, up and coming superstar, Pavel Bure. He also played for the San Jose Sharks and Detroit Red Wings, where he would go on to win three Stanley Cups, before moving to the Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils, where he retired after the 2004 season.
“When I was growing up and playing hockey in the Soviet Union in the 1970’s and 1980’s, my goals were to win in the Russian league, play for the national team and win gold medals in different events around the world,” said Larionov.
“My goal in joining the NHL was to win the Stanley Cup. That opportunity came on one of the greatest teams I’ve ever played for(Detroit Redwings). To me that is the highlight of my career.”
Today Larionov resides in Southern California with his three children, who are all trying to make it into the movie/music business.
“It’s a tough business, and not very easy,” said Larionov, who had his best NHL season in 1996, in scoring 73 points and an impressive +37.
“They are trying to find their way, like everybody else in L.A They’re doing some music and some acting. It’s not like hockey, where people can see if you can play or not.”
After Monday’s induction, Larionov will officially be the fourth player from that powerful 1980’s Red Army club to have a plaque hanging in the Hockey Hall Of Fame. He will join legendary goaltender, Vladislav Tretiak, Viacheslav Fetisov, and defenseman Alexei Kasatonov.
“It’s a big honor to be included in the Hockey Hall of Fame with the greatest people who played or contributed to this game. I’m looking forward to the experience.”
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