My family and I were in Michigan during the back-to-back Cup wins. After the accident, my sons and I went to the site and signed the giant card they had for him. My oldest got his picture in the Detroit Free Press as he signed. I've read the comments. . .I don't care if you hate the Red Wings. . . .what happened to the Vladinator was a tragedy. . . .his recovery is a miracle! God Bless him forever, and GO WINGS!!!!!
I cried. This man was and still is the heart and soul of this team. I was very young when the accident happened but I have heard many stories about this. Always a fan. Go wings
As an Avs fan, wasn't a big Vlady fan but had great respect for the way he played. Played hockey the way it was supposed to be played. Prayers that he continues to recover.
Yeah, I know...but it should be. I get it that he should be in the HOF for it to go up in JLA, but I think they should make a special exception. Just my 2 cents.
Oh my God. Not a Wings fan, but when they put the Stanley Cup in his lap and he gave a thumbs up, goosebumps all over my body, and every hair on my arms stood up. Amazing.
I whole heartedly agree. He may have played for the Wings for a short time, but he is, without a doubt, a Red Wings icon. I don't think you would see a dry eye in the arena if it happens.
Im guessing the only reason they haven't is Irina and Vladdy don't want that. If Red Wings wanna honor him by not issuing his number that's enough but i think retiring his number all together would just be too much, would always be a constant reminder of what could have been. just my thoughts
Man, I still cannot watch this and not tear up all these years later. He was a warrior! They don't make hockey players like him anymore. Hockey as it was meant to be played. I remember he got hurt on a play and struggled to skate off the ice but you could tell there was no way he was going to flop to the ice and get a whistle like nowadays.Just an example of how much heart he had.
What a video. My family is from Detroit but at that time we had moved to Texas. I was around 11 years old and remember how happy my dad was about the cup, and I remember how shocked he was by this. I started getting into hockey myself a few years later (now I’m a die hard) and I hate that I never got to enjoy his games on TV. I just love the respect and consideration the city has shown him. I love even more all these kind hearted comments from people that didn’t like the Wings. Reminds me that hockey is the greatest sport with a good community at the core. Love to you all!
Всегда мечтал! чтобы наша 5 как сыграла на олимпик гецмс ,но тогда это было фантастика ,Константинов это олицетворение мощи хоккея и прежде всего Российского
As I long time Leaf fan, and old hockey arch nemesis of the Wings, I gotta tip my hat to the entire Wings organization. Just pure class through and through.....
The accident took place in Birmingham, just down the road from where I lived. I woke up in the middle of the night to head a loud crash, had no idea what it was. When I woke up my grandmother informed me of the tragedy.. I was only 6 at the time, but watched the Red Wings regularly.
Had he not been disabled in the limo accident, he could have given Lidstrom and others a serious run for their money in the Norris trophy count. The man was a master of timely checks, and was as smart as he was smooth skating.
+NIKE hockey you got to be kidding me? If this really happened you need to go report it instead of watching his videos and talking smack, definitely go report that...
Hated Vladdy and most of the Red Wings cause they always beat up on my Hawks, but nobody deserves to go through that kind of pain. ITs a sad and unfortunate situation, and an awesome tribute to Vladdy in 98 when they wheeled him onto the ice.
"Do you practice your short game or your long game?" "Short." "How do you do with your putting?" "Bad." God Bless you Vladdie! Glad you kept that sense of humor!
I will never forget the night/morning when the accident happened. I was watching Fox 2 when they broke in with the story. I cried for days, especially everytime they played "We Are the Champions" by Queen. Vlady, you are an inspiration and will always be one of my favorite hockey players of all time.
This video literally brought a tear to my eye. I grew up in Detroit and I was 4 when the accident happened. My parents were watching the news and told me what happened I remember not being able to fall asleep that night hoping for all the crash victims to be safe. It is great to see this video and the progress Vlady has made. Keep it up Vlady Detroit still loves you!!!!!
I can't believe what happened to this guy... But man what a remarkable fighting spirit... Vlady you are the man.... I'm a Devils fan but I have always admired this guy... he was one hell of a player....
I'm sorry but I disagree, I think the cup we got the year after was proof that we didn't need him and a lot of other players either, but I love vladdy and am very grateful for him
You sir are insane. Vlad was one of the top contenders for top D-men on the Wings in his day along side Lindstrom. Even Lindstrom would agree with that. On any other team, Vlad would have been a unanimous #1. Having TWO #1 D-men would have almost certainly had the Wings getting more cups.
The fact that the Detroit Redwings could have been even more dominant with him healthy in the late 90's and early 2000's is a SCARY thought! People forget this guy was 2nd in norris voting the last year of his career! I have the utmost respect for this man and the whole detroit redwings association.
That limo was still around until about a year and a half ago. In a warehouse on the near eastside of Detroit. It's gone now though. It still had the blood in it.
I cried when i saw the news on TV as a kid. He was my favorite defenseman on the Wings and not being able to see his career flourish was highway robbery. I still hope to this day Gnida rots in hell.
Sabres fan here but those 90's Red Wings teams are up there with my favorite all-time teams to watch and root for. Konstantinov was just awesome to watch, a physical force but very talented.
What an amazing player. Vladi was my favorite D-man at the time, just watching him on the ice was mildly frightening. He had that look - not even mad or aggressive, just the flat, cold eyes of a predator bearing down on his prey. Thanks for everything, Vladi. Keep on fighting. We haven't forgotten.
katiern05 is far from alone about the tears due to this.. this both heartbreaking but yet warming (about the way he is getting better and all the support he is getting nonstop for example) clip. I hardly tear up, but things like these turns me into a human sprinkler. Big respect to Vladimir and Mnatsakanov - forever.
God bless Vlady. He shows such courage and determination. If this had never happened he would have ended up in the Hall of Fame in my opinion. Or at least in the Red Wings hall.
For a brain stem injury he's doing pretty well. Still a tough son of a gun. No doubt he gets the finest care but to recover that much shows a tenacity only someone like Konstantinov would have. I'm not a wings fan (Blues) but I was going to UofM at the time and sort of followed them then and he and Fedorov were the guys I liked to watch. Fedorov for his athleticism and Vlady for his old-school, hip-checking, crease-clearing defense. I'll always remember that hit on Klatt to end the series.
I'm a Blues fan, but I just feel for Konstantinov and his family. Nobody deserves that. It's just a shame, seeing this happen to someone in the prime of their life. I'll be wishing them all the best.
I may hate the Red Wings, but Vladimir Konstantinov is a true champ and possibly one of the greatest enforcers of all time. Imagine what a career he might have had. This guy's story just makes me want to cry.
I have never liked the red wings.. but they had the best Russians to play the game. Konstantinov, larionov, fedorov they were all so sick.. and larionov was like already 40
From my point of view, i hav a cuzin with brain damage from a car accident, and u dont see how sad it is untill u actually see how they function, we all no that vlady will be remembered forever. god bless vladimir konstantinov
Still very moving and very sad. The Vladiator. I'll never forget it. It was 20 years ago and I hated the wings then, but the news came on both TV and radio and I was absolutely horrified. I was hoping he would fully recover, but to see that he can actually walk now with help and how wonderful his wife is to him makes me, also a disabled person, come close to tears. Even though I loved and love the Aves I actually became a fan of their arch rival Wings because I was going through a lot of horrendous stuff. In 97 many of my friends at that time became arch enemies and I hate them to this day. They didn't stick by me they killed themselves on drug abuse. I'm still mad at them. Vlady became one of my heroes so for the sake of one of the greatest PLEASE RETIRE HIS NUMBER!
This was so sad. His hockey career was cut short by a lot. He could have played for another 8-10 years
My family and I were in Michigan during the back-to-back Cup wins. After the accident, my sons and I went to the site and signed the giant card they had for him. My oldest got his picture in the Detroit Free Press as he signed. I've read the comments. . .I don't care if you hate the Red Wings. . . .what happened to the Vladinator was a tragedy. . . .his recovery is a miracle! God Bless him forever, and GO WINGS!!!!!
I cried. This man was and still is the heart and soul of this team. I was very young when the accident happened but I have heard many stories about this. Always a fan. Go wings
As an Avs fan, wasn't a big Vlady fan but had great respect for the way he played. Played hockey the way it was supposed to be played. Prayers that he continues to recover.
This piece can make a grown man cry. Retire 16!
They unofficially retired it, meaning no one can wear it, however it isn't up in the stands at the JLA.
Yeah, I know...but it should be. I get it that he should be in the HOF for it to go up in JLA, but I think they should make a special exception. Just my 2 cents.
Yeah, his number really should be up there next to Lidstrom. It would been cool if they were retired on the same day!
Right.
It needs to be though
This brings tears to my eyes. Vlady was an amazing player! Go Wings! We love you, Vlady!
Oh my God.
Not a Wings fan, but when they put the Stanley Cup in his lap and he gave a thumbs up, goosebumps all over my body, and every hair on my arms stood up.
Amazing.
A true Russian man. Never gives up, fights till the end
#16 deserves to be retired in the joe
+AverageGamerYT It will be i KNOW IT
I whole heartedly agree. He may have played for the Wings for a short time, but he is, without a doubt, a Red Wings icon. I don't think you would see a dry eye in the arena if it happens.
It actually it is they just don't have a banner hanging. www.detroithockey.net/history/retired.php
They did retire the number 16 .....which is the right thing to do ....
Im guessing the only reason they haven't is Irina and Vladdy don't want that. If Red Wings wanna honor him by not issuing his number that's enough but i think retiring his number all together would just be too much, would always be a constant reminder of what could have been. just my thoughts
Man, I still cannot watch this and not tear up all these years later. He was a warrior! They don't make hockey players like him anymore. Hockey as it was meant to be played. I remember he got hurt on a play and struggled to skate off the ice but you could tell there was no way he was going to flop to the ice and get a whistle like nowadays.Just an example of how much heart he had.
What a video. My family is from Detroit but at that time we had moved to Texas. I was around 11 years old and remember how happy my dad was about the cup, and I remember how shocked he was by this. I started getting into hockey myself a few years later (now I’m a die hard) and I hate that I never got to enjoy his games on TV. I just love the respect and consideration the city has shown him.
I love even more all these kind hearted comments from people that didn’t like the Wings. Reminds me that hockey is the greatest sport with a good community at the core. Love to you all!
Всегда мечтал! чтобы наша 5 как сыграла на олимпик гецмс ,но тогда это было фантастика ,Константинов это олицетворение мощи хоккея и прежде всего Российского
Growing up I hated, HATED, the Red Wings, but this makes me so sad seeing this. God bless him.
We hated hated your team too, but we can all come together when it comes to one of our own getting injured
As I long time Leaf fan, and old hockey arch nemesis of the Wings, I gotta tip my hat to the entire Wings organization. Just pure class through and through.....
The accident took place in Birmingham, just down the road from where I lived. I woke up in the middle of the night to head a loud crash, had no idea what it was. When I woke up my grandmother informed me of the tragedy.. I was only 6 at the time, but watched the Red Wings regularly.
Had he not been disabled in the limo accident, he could have given Lidstrom and others a serious run for their money in the Norris trophy count. The man was a master of timely checks, and was as smart as he was smooth skating.
Fuck, these fucking chopped onions fucking everywhere.
and dammit now i just spilled the pepper
THANK YOU VLADY FOR YOUR GREAT SERVICES FOR THE DETROIT RED WINGS AND I GLAD YOU WON A STANLEY CUP IN 1997!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In Vladdy we trust. I miss him so much. If he was still playing and with the Wings him and Lidstrom would make one Hell of a blue line
What a great women, she stood by him the whole time. women these days would just leave after 12.75 days.
that is a great woman. amen
I think she did leave him later on
agreed!
+NIKE hockey you got to be kidding me? If this really happened you need to go report it instead of watching his videos and talking smack, definitely go report that...
She did leave him, she's a biatch
Hated Vladdy and most of the Red Wings cause they always beat up on my Hawks, but nobody deserves to go through that kind of pain. ITs a sad and unfortunate situation, and an awesome tribute to Vladdy in 98 when they wheeled him onto the ice.
Konstantinov and Lidstrom solicited me for sex underage and never paid me money. So I am happy that car crash happened
"Do you practice your short game or your long game?" "Short." "How do you do with your putting?" "Bad." God Bless you Vladdie! Glad you kept that sense of humor!
deovalente he said best. Not bad
I have Konstantinov jersey wear it to every Wings game i go to
ONE OF MY IDOLS IS VLADIMIR KONSTANTINOV
I will never forget the night/morning when the accident happened. I was watching Fox 2 when they broke in with the story. I cried for days, especially everytime they played "We Are the Champions" by Queen. Vlady, you are an inspiration and will always be one of my favorite hockey players of all time.
I still have his Jersey. I was so happy i met him. Made me cry to see him that way but he still is a great ass hockey player.
This video literally brought a tear to my eye. I grew up in Detroit and I was 4 when the accident happened. My parents were watching the news and told me what happened I remember not being able to fall asleep that night hoping for all the crash victims to be safe. It is great to see this video and the progress Vlady has made. Keep it up Vlady Detroit still loves you!!!!!
Goosebumps and tears at 3:35...
I can't believe what happened to this guy... But man what a remarkable fighting spirit... Vlady you are the man.... I'm a Devils fan but I have always admired this guy... he was one hell of a player....
Vladimir Konstantinov we still love you and pray for you and your family in Detroit.
Wow, thanks for sharing this. I remember the accident like it was yesterday. What a sad way to leave the game. I miss the good ol' Vladiator.
Still miss the Vladiator, thanks for the great post.
We would have had so many more cups if Vlady wasn't taken so soon. His number deserves to be in the rafters of the Joe.
I'm sorry but I disagree, I think the cup we got the year after was proof that we didn't need him and a lot of other players either, but I love vladdy and am very grateful for him
You sir are insane. Vlad was one of the top contenders for top D-men on the Wings in his day along side Lindstrom. Even Lindstrom would agree with that. On any other team, Vlad would have been a unanimous #1. Having TWO #1 D-men would have almost certainly had the Wings getting more cups.
markwest1987 it's Lidstrom, dumbass
Великий защитник здоровья тебе.
It's crazy how a split second can change your life forever 😔
So true.
I am glad the world can still watch the bone crushing checks Vladdy used to dish out!!
GO WINGS!!
Vladimr is the history of my Detroit red wings and will be loved forever by every hockey fan ever.
One of the saddest and yet inspiring story in hockey.
so not fair, just makes me really sad and kinda pissed
Thank you Irina for being you and everything you do. You both are a true hero´s of our time ♥.
The fact that the Detroit Redwings could have been even more dominant with him healthy in the late 90's and early 2000's is a SCARY thought! People forget this guy was 2nd in norris voting the last year of his career! I have the utmost respect for this man and the whole detroit redwings association.
That limo was still around until about a year and a half ago. In a warehouse on the near eastside of Detroit. It's gone now though. It still had the blood in it.
Amazing warrior and humble too. What a champ.
A ferocious player. One who I always feared when he came to MSG to play NY. I knew they were in for a rough night. I hope he is doing well.
I cried when i saw the news on TV as a kid. He was my favorite defenseman on the Wings and not being able to see his career flourish was highway robbery. I still hope to this day Gnida rots in hell.
Ones a fighter always a fighter
Damn.. This brought tears to my eyes..
Sabres fan here but those 90's Red Wings teams are up there with my favorite all-time teams to watch and root for. Konstantinov was just awesome to watch, a physical force but very talented.
What an amazing player. Vladi was my favorite D-man at the time, just watching him on the ice was mildly frightening. He had that look - not even mad or aggressive, just the flat, cold eyes of a predator bearing down on his prey.
Thanks for everything, Vladi. Keep on fighting. We haven't forgotten.
I remember this day.. and I was only 3 years old. One of my few memories from when I was that young...
did not expect to cry when i clicked on this
if anyone is going to be in detroit on may 10 (2012) vladi has an art show at gallery u in royal oak...come show the man the respect he deserves!!
Great player that always finished clean. One of the best hockey moments. Sucks what happened to you. You are a champ!
And now I'm all choked up...
This is why I love hockey, Along with most sports. Greatness, courage and perseverance.
katiern05 is far from alone about the tears due to this.. this both heartbreaking but yet warming (about the way he is getting better and all the support he is getting nonstop for example) clip. I hardly tear up, but things like these turns me into a human sprinkler. Big respect to Vladimir and Mnatsakanov - forever.
I STILL miss you Vladdie! You will always be the #1 defenseman of all time in my opinion.
ВЛАДИМИРУ ЗДОРОВЬЯ И ЖИЗНЕННЫХ СИЛ. МЫ ПОМНИМ ЕГО И ЕГО ИГРУ.........................................
It still makes me sad to this day what happened to Vladdie
спасибо!!!!! мы вместе!!!!! Россия и Канада
God bless Vlady. He shows such courage and determination. If this had never happened he would have ended up in the Hall of Fame in my opinion. Or at least in the Red Wings hall.
I agree he would've had a Hall of Fame-worthy career.
Was no red wings fan but this affected all hockey fans. Sad story, but at least he reached the top....good on his wife for staying by his side.
....but she left him
Great guy. I met him at a gas station in Nova Scotia of all places. Was as nice a guy as you could ever hope to meet.
For a brain stem injury he's doing pretty well. Still a tough son of a gun. No doubt he gets the finest care but to recover that much shows a tenacity only someone like Konstantinov would have. I'm not a wings fan (Blues) but I was going to UofM at the time and sort of followed them then and he and Fedorov were the guys I liked to watch. Fedorov for his athleticism and Vlady for his old-school, hip-checking, crease-clearing defense. I'll always remember that hit on Klatt to end the series.
"Владди" главное здоровья!
YOU ARE THE MAN VLADY! Don't you ever forget that!
So sorry that this happened to him . Nice to see his wife is a good lady and dedicated to him .
the vladiator and super mario are the two best nicknames in hockey history.
i was 9 and it was sad. Good to see how much better he is doing even though Im 9 years late.
Love his sense of humor! The way he smiles when he says his putting is "bad" cracks me up every time!
I'm a Blues fan, but I just feel for Konstantinov and his family. Nobody deserves that. It's just a shame, seeing this happen to someone in the prime of their life.
I'll be wishing them all the best.
i think i can speak for me and my fellow canucks fans everywhere: konstantinov was and still is a beast. i wish him well! :)
btw his +60 result in 1995-96 is still the best in NHL for 33 years now since Gretzky
Seeing Stevie Y hand Vladdy the cup makes me cry every time
wow...I started crying watching this, what a lovely moment to have him hold the cup. I am so happy he made progress over the years.
I may hate the Red Wings, but Vladimir Konstantinov is a true champ and possibly one of the greatest enforcers of all time. Imagine what a career he might have had. This guy's story just makes me want to cry.
Man was he ever a damn good player. So tough. Not many people could ever persevere like he is now. A true role model.
This is awesome to watch.
I have never liked the red wings.. but they had the best Russians to play the game. Konstantinov, larionov, fedorov they were all so sick.. and larionov was like already 40
i love you brother hail true warriors
From my point of view, i hav a cuzin with brain damage from a car accident, and u dont see how sad it is untill u actually see how they function, we all no that vlady will be remembered forever.
god bless vladimir konstantinov
I love you, Vladdie! I even named my pet after you. You will always be AWESOME in my eyes.
I. Might. Name. My. Next. Valdie
Manly tears were shed
This is so sad..
this is so sad...Always believe!
1997 Stanley Cup finals.......i think it was Game 3. Some Flyers player came across center ice with his head down. It did not end well lol
Wow this brought tears to my eyes
I remember that....
Sucks when shit like this happens to anyone
@MasonMsotsos yeah it was probably the greatest moment in hockey history.
Still very moving and very sad. The Vladiator. I'll never forget it. It was 20 years ago and I hated the wings then, but the news came on both TV and radio and I was absolutely horrified. I was hoping he would fully recover, but to see that he can actually walk now with help and how wonderful his wife is to him makes me, also a disabled person, come close to tears. Even though I loved and love the Aves I actually became a fan of their arch rival Wings because I was going through a lot of horrendous stuff. In 97 many of my friends at that time became arch enemies and I hate them to this day. They didn't stick by me they killed themselves on drug abuse. I'm still mad at them. Vlady became one of my heroes so for the sake of one of the greatest PLEASE RETIRE HIS NUMBER!
@YawnGod Fuckin A right man...on a normal day I hate the wings, but if this doesn't put tears in your eyes, you're not human
@WhaleRider86 His number is not retired because the Red Wings still keep an open locker wit his name on it
@SuperSportSS I think it is.. It's why Hull couldn't wear it (and I'm sure Hull wouldn't wear it, out of good taste anyhow)
funny thing is...even in todays NHL, these are ALL CLEAN HITS.
hard to watch...
What a brave and wonderful man.
It is unavailable for use now. That needs to change. get 16 right up the with, 1,5,9,10, 12, 19, and hopefully 16
ONE OF MY IDOLS
Warrior