Igor Korolev was a professional ice hockey player from Russia who played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for over a decade. He was born on September 6, 1970, in Moscow, Russia, and began his hockey career playing for the Moscow Dynamo in the Soviet Union.
Korolev was drafted by the St. Louis Blues in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in the 1992-93 season. He played for the Blues for three seasons before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets in 1995. He played for the Jets for two seasons before being traded to the Phoenix Coyotes in 1997.
Korolev played for the Coyotes for four seasons and was known for his offensive skills, particularly his ability to score goals. He had his best season in 1999-2000 when he scored 27 goals and had 29 assists for a total of 56 points.
In 2001, Korolev was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he played for three seasons. He was a key player for the Maple Leafs and helped the team reach the playoffs in each of his three seasons with the team.
Korolev's NHL career came to an end in 2004 when he signed with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl in the Russian Superleague. He played for Lokomotiv for two seasons before retiring from professional hockey in 2006.
Throughout his NHL career, Korolev was known for his hard work and dedication to the game. He was a skilled player who could score goals and make plays, and he was respected by his teammates and opponents alike.
After retiring from hockey, Korolev became a coach and worked with several teams in Russia and the Czech Republic. He was also a scout for the Maple Leafs and was highly regarded for his ability to identify talented players.
Tragically, Korolev died in a plane crash on September 7, 2011, while traveling with the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team to a game in Belarus. He was 41 years old at the time of his death and was mourned by the hockey community around the world.
🏒