The Russain Five

The Russian Five consisted of Vyacheslav Fetisov (D), Vladimir Konstantinov (D), Sergei Fedorov (RW), Igor Larionov (C) and Vyacheslav Kozlov (LW).

The Russian Five often noted for their skill and ability on the ice together. The unit playing an instrumental role during the Red Wings' success of that decade. The five greats put on a show for years, while dominating the 1990's they helped bring the Stanley Cup to the City of Detroit.

Viacheslav Fetisov

Fetisov was traded to the Detroit Red Wings in 1995. During that year he helped them make to the finals, only to lose to his former team the Devils. Slava won back to back Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997 and 1998.

He is considered one of the best defensemen of all time.
Fetisov along with Larionov was highly influential in breaking the stumbling block that halted, Soviet players from entering the NHL.

Vladimir Konstantinov

Vladdie was another great defenseman. Probably the most prominent aspect of his career was being aggressive, specializing in getting opponents off their game.

Konstantinov was more than a pest, as some had taken to calling him; he was a skilled player. He earned the NHL +/- Award in 1995, of + 60. That has been the highest rating since Wayne Gretzky finished with a +70. In 1996–97, his final season, Konstantinov was second best to (Brian Leetch) for the Norris Trophy. Which is given to the league's best defenceman.

Igor Larionov

Igor Larionov known as "The Professor" for his superb passing ability. He was a very creative, playmaking center-ice man.

Larionov won three Stanley Cup Championships with the Detroit Red Wings in 1997, 1998, and 2002. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2008. Larionv was the leader at the time playing the center position.

Larionov was one of five members of the Red Wings' "Russian Five" unit in the mid-1990s. He and Fetisov were looked on as father figures by the team's other Russian players, which included Sergei Fedorov, Vyacheslav Kozlov and Vladimir Konstantinov.

Sergei Fedorov

Fedorov was described as "three great players in one". Fedorov was described as "three great players in one". In 1993 he won the Hart Memorial Trophy (Most Valuable Player). Fedorov won the Frank J. Selke Trophy (1994 and 1996), which is awarded to the league forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.

Alternate Captain Member of the Russian Five, which became a vital part of the first Stanley Cup Championship since 1955. Sergei really anchored the Russian Five and the Red Wings to keep their names alive and recreate the legacy Detroit once had as the top team in the NHL.

Vyacheslav Kozlov

Slava Kozlov was a gifted forward with a deceiving shot and excellent playmaking abilities. Kozlov is not a mean, hard hitting player. He is more of a playmaker and most of all, a goal scorer. He brings leadership to his team and is effective in both offensive and defensive situations.

Vyacheslav Kozlov is a two-time Stanley Cup champion in 1997 and 1998 for the the Detroit Red Wings. He was probably one of the most underrated players on the team, but when it came down to it he proved his scoring ability time after time. Kozlov scored the game winner in double OT to send the Red Wings to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 29 years.

The lagacy

Scotty Bowman had two veterans in Fetisov and Larionov who came in to be the back bone of great play. The other three were the cream of the crop. Growing up in the Soviet system wasn't easy. The younger players were encouraged and motivated by their role models. The two veterans in turn acted as under-hand coaches to the Soviet proteges.

The Red Wings went against the traditional NHL line and assembled a old school Russian line. Puck handling, speed, scoring ability and clean hitting, was the way of The Russian Five. The idea of The Russian Five paid major dividends, bring three Stanley Cups to Hockey Town during the 1990's.