Vyacheslav was born in Russia on May 3, 1972. He was Detroit's 2nd choice in the 1990 NHL Entry Draft and 45th overall. Last season, he was tied for second on the team in goals and tied for fourth in scoring. He was the only Red Wing to play in all 82 games. He was plus or even in 62 games and had points in 46 games. Slava recorded his 100th career point on March 14, 1995 vs. Los Angeles. He clinched the 1995 Western Conference Championships with a goal at 2:25 of the second overtime in Game 5 vs. Chicago. He was in a severe automobile accident which limited his play in 1991 after sparkling in the 1989 and '90 World Junior Championships. He helped the Soviets with the Gold medal in the 1990 Goodwill Games at Seattle, played in the World Championships in 1991 and 1994, and the 1991 Canada Cup.
