15 Years Later: Konstantinov and What Could Have Been

Fifteen years ago today, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Fetisov, and Sergei Mnatsakanov got into a limo after celebrating their Stanley Cup victory, a victory that was only six days old. They were being responsible and hired a driver… What they didn’t know was that the driver, whose license was suspended at the time for drunk driving, Richard Gnida was not the most reliable driver. Needless to say, he “blacked out” and crossed three lanes and ends up crashing into a tree.

Konstantinov spent several weeks in a coma before pulling through. After initially being confined to a wheelchair he was able to get around with a walker. His movement and speech are limited, but he is said to be aware.

Mnatsakanov, who also spent some time in a coma, had a more difficult recovery. He was permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

Fetisov escaped with broken ribs and a punctured lung and continued his career the following season.  (Source)

VK Was Promising…

Konstantinov was drafted in 1989, the same year that the Wings drafted Lidstrom and Sergei Fedorov, in the 11th round, which is not even a round anymore.

Lidstrom and Konstantinov in their Rookie Year

The first time he got on NHL ice he shattered the notion that Europeans were “soft.” He was referred to by fans and players alike as “The Vladinator” and “Vlad the Impaler,”  Kris Draper recalled that not even teammates were exempt: “‘In practice he would hit you, He only knew one way. If your head was down he would hit you and tell you to keep your head up.’”

Draper also explains that “he was one of the fiercest competitors I ever seen. He didn’t care how big you were, or if you were a superstar, if you weren’t on his team you were fair game.” (Note: That is the mentality that made me name him my favorite d-man of all time — only slightly above Lidstrom)

The original tragedy is enough to make fans cry but, considering what could have been with Vlady is another tragedy in itself. At the time of the accident, Konstantinov was 30 and entering his prime. The 1996-1997 year he finished second to Brian Leetch for the Norris Trophy. Almost certainly every former Red Wing you talk to reminisces and believes that Vlady was robbed of a career and wonders about how life would have been different if it never happened, if Vlady could have played a full career. 

The Back To Back Cup For Vlady

As the 1998 season began, the Red Wings wore a patch for Vlady and Mnatsakanov. It was simple. It read “Believe” in both English and Russian.

The Patch worn in the 1997-1998 season

Then the playoffs rolled around and the team certainly had the accident in the back of their minds. They won the Stanley Cup for the second straight season, in decisive fashion sweeping the Washington Capitals. As Gary Bettman gave the Cup to Steve Yzerman, Red Wings captain, he did not raise it above his head. Instead, he put it in Vladimir Konstantinov’s lap and the entire team wheeled him around the ice. The first skate the Cup took that year was for Vlady.

As the years went on, Konstantinov would frequent the games, sit on the bench for practice, and sit in the locker room with the team. He would stay around the team, and his locker in the dressing room at the Joe Louis Arena would sit vacant. 

Now, he still attends games, from Mike Illitch’s Owner Suite. Larry Murphy, former Red Wings defenseman and now Red Wings Color Analyst, says that he is happy to see that Vlady still comes to games and it’s good to see him but, his presence is “a reminder that in one instant, life can change forever. It makes you cry.”

Konstantinov, still resides in the Detroit area. His focus is now on his growing career in art. In November, he had several pieces on display, and some for sale, at Gallery U and Boutique in Royal Oak. 

All proceeds from the exhibition were donated to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan, a non-profit organization that provides education, advocacy, research opportunities, support and support groups to brain injury victims, their families and the people who serve them.  (Source)

What Could Have Been

“Sometimes, we sit around and reflect internally,” Ken Holland told the Free Press in 2007. “Where would we be if we’d had a healthy Konstantinov?”

Kenny, I’ll tell you where you could be. 

Along with Nick Lidstrom’s retirement, this year we could have witnessed the retirement of Vladimir Konstantinov. There could have been employees all dressed in the number 16, just as all were in number 5 for Nick. There could have been Mike Illitch saying that there would be two new numbers in the rafters next year, 16 and 5. 

What Really Matters

What really matters is that the Red Wings didn’t wallow in their sorrows after the accident. They went out the nest year and won a second straight Stanley Cup Championship. The Cup win itself in 1998 is not what really matters, what does is that the determination and spirit of the Red Wings could not be broken. What Sergei Mnatsakanov and Vladimir Konstantinov did for the Wings was give them motivation. Something to rally around. 

Konstantinov and Mnatsakanov have inspired more people than they probably know. They showed the world that when you are down, you are certainly not out. They still attend games at the Joe Louis Arena, Vlady with his walker and Mnatsakanov with his wheelchair. What really matters is that they demonstrated the spirit of the Red Wings. Not only that, they demonstrated courage to the world. For that I will forever be thankful.