IMAGE INFORMATION
EditVladimir Yevgenyevich Krutov / Владимир Евгеньевич Крутов "The Tank" - Born June 1, 1960 in Moscow, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic – Died June 6, 2012 in Moscow, Russia was a Soviet / Russian ice Hockey left winger and coach.
- Soviet Hockey Champion 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 with CSKA Moscow.
- World Junior Ice Hockey Champion 1979, 1980 with Soviet Union.
- World Ice Hockey Champion 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986, 1989 with Soviet Union. Voted best forward in 1986 and 1987 and All-Star Team 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987. Top scorer in 1987 tournament with 11 goals, 4 assists.
- European Ice Hockey Champion 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 with Soviet Union.
- Winter Olympics Gold Medal Champion 1984, 1988 with Soviet Union. Top scorer in 1988 with 6 goals, 9 assists.
- Winter Olympics Silver Medal Winner 1980 with Soviet Union.
- Canada Cup Champion 1981 with Soviet Union.
- Soviet Cup Champion 1979, 1988 with CSKA Moscow.
Vladimir Krutov was made an Honoured Master of Sports in the Soviet Union 1981
Vladimir Krutov was Soviet Union Player of the Year 1986-87 with CSKA Moscow.
Vladimir Krutov was inducted into the International Ice Hockey Federation / IIHF Hall of Fame in 2010.
Igor Larionov quote: "Krutov understood playing without notes, like a musician who improvises."
Krutov played 1 NHL season, debuting with the Vancouver Canucks on October 5, 1989 vs Edmonton Oilers at Pacific Coliseum in a 4-1 Edmonton win.
Krutov scored his 1st NHL goal vs Glen Hanlon of the Detroit Red Wings at 4:41 of the 1st period on October 7, 1989 at Pacific Coliseum in a 5-3 Vancouver win.
Krutov played 61 regular season NHL games, scoring 11 goals, 23 assists with 20 penalty minutes.
NOTE
Krutov was part of the the famous K-L-M Line with Igor Larionov and Sergei Makarov. Probably the best offensive lineup ever in international Hockey, dominating the Soviet and international scene during the 1980s.
Also, Vladimir Krutov, Igor Larionov, Sergei Makarov with defencemen Vyacheslav Fetisov and Alexei Kasatonov were known in the Hockey world as the Green Unit, thanks to the green sweaters they wore in practice. Krutov was the last member of these 5 legendary CSKA players to have his jersey retired.