Birthplace: Murmansk, Russian SFSR, USSR [now Russia]
Vladimir Konstantinov is a Russian retired professional ice hockey player who played his entire National Hockey League (NHL) career with the Detroit Red Wings. Previously, he had played for Soviet club CSKA Moscow. Winner of the Stanley Cup 1997. World Champion 1986, 1989 and 1990. World Youth Championship 1986. Honored Master of Sports of the USSR (1989).
Konstantinov was drafted 221st overall in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings. Konstantinov was also part of the unit known as "The Russian Five", which consisted of him and fellow defenseman Viacheslav Fetisov, and forwards Igor Larionov, Sergei Fedorov and Vyacheslav Kozlov. Konstantinov earned the NHL Plus/Minus Award in 1995-96, with a plus/minus difference of +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 season. In 1996-97, Konstantinov helped his team to win the Stanley Cup against the Philadelphia Flyers. In that same year, Konstantinov was runner-up to Brian Leetch for the James Norris Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL's best defenseman.
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