Andrei Tarasenko, father of Red Wings' Vladimir, dies at 55

Andrei Tarasenko, the father of Detroit Red Wings recently signed forward Vladimir Tarasenko, has died at age 55.

Andrei Tarasenko’s playing career spanned more than 20 years from 1984-2006, entirely in Russia. A 5-9, 174-pound right wing during his playing days, he was part of the country’s 1994 Olympic team that failed to medal.

Andrei Tarasenko had been working as a development coach for HC Sibir of the KHL at the time of his death. He served at the club’s head coach from 2009-2012.

The Red Wings signed Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year, $9.5 million contract on July 3.

Vladimir, in a 2017 article for the Players Tribune, wrote of his father: “My first memory of this is from Olympic Games in 1994. He comes home, from Lillehammer, after the tournament, with a video. This tape has all of my dad’s games from the two weeks, plus the full closing ceremony.

“So, you know, I watch this. Rewind. Watch again. Rewind. Watch again. I can’t believe how hard he shoots. But what I remember most is the passing. I’m telling you, it’s insane. On (the) tape of (his) teammate every time. Pass, bang, on tape. Every time.”