Detroit Red Wings legend Igor Larionov has been named head coach of SKA
Photo credit: Hockey Hall of Fame
The SKA St. Petersburg has officially hired the Detroit Red Wings legend Igor Larionov to replace Roman Rotenberg as head coach.
It was no secret that Roman Rotenberg was on the hot seat as the St. Petersburg SKA head coach. Reports from Russian outlets confirmed that an early playoff exit would mean the end of his tenure with the SKA:
"It's been known since last summer that Roman Rotenberg can no longer afford any mistakes. With astronomical spending and the most talented roster in the league in terms of individual skill, the team is expected to move closer to a title. Rumors of all kinds are swirling around the organization-rumors that can only be silenced by a run to the semifinals, or even further."
The SKA didn't get through the first round of the playoffs, and today, over a month after their elimination, the organization announced that Roman Rotenberg won't be back as head coach next season:
To replace him, the SKA hired the Detroit Red Wings legend Igor Larionov:
Larionov, 64, played in 921 NHL games for the Vancouver Canucks, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, and New Jersey Devils between 1989 and 2004.
He was a part of the Red Wings for the team's three Stanley Cups, in 1997, 1998, and 2002, during the Russian Five Era, alongside fellow countrymen and Hockey Hall of Famers Sergei Fedorov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Slava Kozlov, and Slava Fetisov.
After retiring from the NHL in 2004, Larionov stepped away, but returned to hockey in another position. In 2022, he was named head coach of Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the KHL, and led his team to three straight playoff appearances.
Reports confirmed that Larionov declined offers to work behind NHL benches in recent years because he wanted to remain in Russia.
If his journey as SKA's head coach were to end in a few years, he could consider coming over to North America to pursue his coaching career.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 2 | 96 ANSWERS Detroit Red Wings legend Igor Larionov has been named head coach of SKA Do you think Igor Larionov will ever be a coach in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 42 | 43.8 % |
| No | 54 | 56.3 % |
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