The Legends: Vladimir Konstantinov

Vladimir Konstantinov Влади́мир Константи́нов know also as “Vladdie“ and “Vlad The Impaler“ He was also part of the unit known as “The Russian Five,“ in Detroit Red Wings which consisted of him and fellow defensemen Viacheslav Fetisov, and forwards Igor Larionov, Sergei Fedorov, and Vyacheslav Kozlov. Konstantinov was a hard but also very skilled player. He earned the NHL Plus/Minus Award in 1995--96, with a plus/minus difference of plus-60. 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. Following a private party on June 13, 1997 celebrating the Red Wings' Stanley Cup triumph, Konstantinov, along with Russian hockey legend Viacheslav Fetisov, and team masseur Sergei Mnatsakanov hired a limousine to drive them home. The driver lost control of the limousine and hit a tree. Konstantinov spent several weeks in a coma before finally pulling through. He also suffere