Biography
Igor Larionov — hockey ("the professor") with roots in the USSR
Igor Larionov is a Russian former ice hockey player known as "The Professor". He played for CSKA Moscow and on the Soviet KLM Line, won two Olympic and four world championship gold medals with the USSR, and won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings.
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — Voskresensk (Russia)
Born on 3 December 1960 in Voskresensk, Russian SFSR, USSR, he played for CSKA Moscow. After resisting coach Tikhonov and lobbying for the right to go, he was officially allowed to join the Vancouver Canucks in 1989–90.
Family Tree
Subject
Igor Larionov🇺🇸 USA
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Origin
Voskresensk (Russia)🇷🇺 USSR
Historical context
Soviet Union (USSR) · 1922–1991
Voskresensk (Russia). At the time, this region was one of the fifteen republics of the Soviet Union.
Map: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
3x Stanley Cup Champion — Detroit Red Wings (1997, 1998, 2002)
02
Olympic Gold Medal — USSR (1984, 1988)
03
IIHF World Championship gold — USSR (1982, 1983, 1986, 1989)
04
Hockey Hall of Fame inductee (2008)
05
Officially allowed to join the NHL's Vancouver Canucks (1989–90)
"Hockey is like chess. The pieces move fast, but the game is won in your head."
Igor Larionov
Sources