Igor Larionov was one of the top players for the Soviet Union in the 1980’s and was the Centre for their top line; the famed “KLM Line”, alongside Vladimir Krutov and Sergei Makarov. They were the dominant force in International Hockey that decade, but Larionov longed to test his skills in the National Hockey League. He was an outspoken critic of the Soviet hockey regime and due to the necessity of funds for the Soviet Sports bureau, a deal was brokered where Igor and many of his talented “comrades” would get to play in the NHL.