|
Rebel with a cause
Squire Barnes - - West Coasr Winds
Spring - 1992
When Igor Larionov was the number one center for the Soviet national team he dreamed one day playing in the NHL. But, in the days of the Cold War and KGB agents, Igor Larionov never talked to his other teammates about his dream. Not until Mikhail Gorbachev and Glasnost arrived in the Soviet Union could Larionov openly discuss his desire to go west.
"I am forever grateful to Mr. Gorbachev and what he did for my country. I am grateful Glastnost helped me live my dream in the NHL."
Appropriately enough Larionov's dream was realized on Canada Day, 1989, when he signed a three-year contract witht he Vancouver Canucks. It was clear from the outset that the man from Vokresensk was at home in the western world. But, during his first season with the Canucks it was also clear thathe wasn't completely home in the NHL.
"It was tough for me because I came here when I was 28. I was used to the Soviet style and system. In the NHL you play many more games and travel a lot. Plus, the hockey is much tougher, much better."
Larionov's struggle in his first NHL season surprised many observers. While a member of the Soviet national team, Larionov was the linchpin on a line with Sergei Makarov and Vladimir Krutov that gave the best this country had to offer all kinds of headaches in the 1987 Canada Cup. Were the Russians only good when playing within their own system? Was Larionov simply an average talent when he was taken out of that system?
The answer appeared to be "yes" until this season. After getting off to a horrible start Larionov suddenly found his old magic the moment Pavel Bure arrived.
Pavel Bure's arrival not only brought out the talent in Larionov, it also brought out the leadership skills he had with the Soviet nationals. During the course of this past season, the presence of Larionov in the dressing room provided a sturdy hand for the younger players, as Vancouver reached great heights. After all, winning is something Larionov knows about, having played on a number of World and Olympic championship teams. Having grown up in the win-at-all-costs Soviet system, pressure is old hat for Larionov.
As a younger player in Moscow, Bure idolized Larionov. The first game Bure saw the Canucks play, an inspired Larionov scored three goals to help defeat edmonton.
Since then, Larionov has been the Canucks' best center, giving Vancouver the kind of ability that made the Soviets such a world power in international hockey.
"This has been a great year," says Larionov. "I've enjoyed this year more than the others. The way we've played as a team, the way Pavel and I have played this year, this is what I dreamed about before I came here."
Quite frankly, Igor, it's what Pat Quinn and the Vancouver Canucks dreamt about before you came
----Back to Headline List----
Fans wouldn't trade Bure for rest of rookie of year candidates
by Archie McDonald - - Vancouver Sun
February 26, 1992
Pavel Bure is not letting his reach for Rookie of the Year honors exceed his grasp of the situation.
"Sure I want it, but I think I can't," the Vancouver Canucks' winger said Tuesday. "Too many games when I didn't score. But I will try, yes."
Yes, by all means.
There haven't been many games recently when the 20-year-old Russian has failed to score - he had six goals in four games before being blanked against Los Angeles Tuesday night - but he would probably need an average of one a game for the rest of the season to close a credibility gap established by Detroit's Niklas Lidstrom, a slick Swedish defenceman with nine goals, 41 assists, and a plus-32 New York Rangers' Tony Amonte, New Jersey's Kevin Todd, and Buffalo's Donald Audette would also get votes.
But in Vancouver the fans would not take all five in a package for Bure. They have waited 22 years to cheer someone like him. Ever since they lost the spin of the wheel to Buffalo and were deprived of Gilbert Perreault the Canucks have been a Brand X in the NHL.
No 50-goal scorer, no 100-point man. Stan Smyl, Harold Snepts - honest workers - are the touchstones. Now comes Bure. Or as assistant coach Ron Wilson calls him "Blurre," in reference to his hellacious speed.
The kid has star quality. It is a term that is hard to define, but every fan instinctively knows what it is. What is the Russian word for charisma? In arenas around the league people leave knowing that they have seen someone who could turn out to be special.
He's played only 47 games - 18 goals, 19 assists - but 13 of those goals have come in the last 23 games. It's a small ore sampling but he looks like he'll turn out to be a gold mine.
He has lead the team in scoring opportunities since his arrival Nov.5, but it's only recently that the shots have started to go in. Until Tuesday night, that is, when Kelly Hrudey blocked him on seven shots. The English word for it, he learned, is frustration.
He changed to an aluminum shaft two weeks ago but does not think that has been the difference. "I don't know why I am scoring. I am doing everything the same."
Well, maybe not quite. "When he wasn't scoring I told him not to worry, to be patient," said Igor Larionov, his linemate and fellow countryman. "He worried about scoring. But one thing that has helped is the success of the team. There is a good atmosphere. Much better than a couple of years ago."
Larionov has helped him immeasurably on the ice and off, but closest companion is tough guy Gino Odjick. It makes for an endearing scene, a battle-scarred Algonquin Indian from Quebec teaching a rudimentary card game to a fresh-faced Russian with a multi-kilowatt smile.
What does he think of the NHL? "Every game is a celebration," he said. "Lots of fans, lots of TV, lost of media."
By the time they signed him the Canucks knew Bure was an exceptional talent. What they didn't know was how long he would take to adjust to the hurly burly of the NHL, and to the If this is Tuesday this must be New Jersey schedule.
"We knew we were getting an elite player," said assistant GM Brian Bure. "It's just that he's doing things ahead of schedule. He's exceeded what we though he would do as a rookie.
The Canucks have had high first-round picks in recent years. Dan Woodley and Jason Herter have failed to deliver and Petr Nedved, second overall in 1990, is still struggling. But they stole Bure in the sixth round - 113th overall - in 1989.
Eighteen-year-olds were only eligible to be taken in the first three rounds with one exception: if they had played two seasons of 11 or more games in a major league, the restriction was waved. To this day the official NHL media guide declares that Bure played only five games in 1987-88.
Head scout Mike Penny discovered he had played 11 - not one more, not one less - and the Canucks later produced scoresheets to prove it. The rest, as they say, is history in the making.
----Back to Headline List----
|