Broken Wings

shared a feeling
shared the glory
shared a drink from the loving cup
we held it high above our heads
like it wasn't quite enough
now the road has turned
and long grown dark
and the rain comes tumbling down
for our fears, the lie beside us
as the battle lies ahead
but in our hearts we have the power
in our strength we hold the key
together we will move mountains
we can mend this Broken Wing
as we face the sun tomorrow
unsure of what we see
we'll share the voice of reason
in this hour of our need
so we'll show our strength in numbers
our hope will see us through
we'll show that love can conquer
and the world what we can do
mend this Broken Wing
through our prayers
through our dreams
we can mend this Broken Wing
from our hearts
we'll let it sing
we can mend this Broken Wing
"Broken Wing"
by Jim Gentry, Graham Strachan, and Michael Kudreiko.

The Vladinator--those who heared his name trembled and fled. Unless they played for the Detroit Red Wings, that is. Vladimir Konstantinov was a big, strong, rugged defenseman, known for his fearsome body checks and faultless defensive play. He was unstoppable, invincible, not fully human, just a mean, lean hockey machine--or so it seemed. Invincible until June 13, 1997.

Vladdie was a big part of the Wings 1996-97 Championship, and no one was more excited than he was. In the locker room after the victory on Saturday, June 7 he joyfully doused every one with champagne, and sang his new favorite song--"We Are The Champions"-- over and over.

Two days later, Monday, June 9, at a season ticket holder's rally at Joe Louis Arena, Vladdie's 9-word speech made a big hit: "You're the greatest and you deserve it. Thank you." The next day over a million people attended the victory parade in downtown Detroit.

Vladdie in the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals

Fetisov sat in the back seat, on the passenger's side, with his feet propped up on the bar. Sergei was directly across from him. Vladdie kept zipping up to the front seat to check on Gnida and make sure he knew hwere he was going. In between he sat on the left side of the limo, facing the bar where Fetisov had his feet. AS they came down Woodward, about to cross Big Beaver (16 Mile) Vladdie went up to check on Gnida one more time. Here is the description of the accident Slava Fetisov gave Birmingham Police Officer Dave Schultz:

"I was looking through the window, watching to see that he was going to go into downtown Birmingham. We were in the right lane and there was nothing in front of us, whatsoever, and all of a sudden the car swerved, not evasive, just started drifting, and immediately, as soon as it crossed one lane, all three of us started yelling : 'Hey, what's going on! Hey! Hey!'
Officer Schultz, we hit the curb, then I see pole, then I see mom, then I see dad...
Then we miss pole. Then there's a big, loud bang, then I wake up and I'm on top of Sergei and Vladdie. Then someone pull me out of the car."

Richard Alan Gnida had an unbelievably bad driving record. In May of 1994 , he was arrested for driving while impaired. He was driving a Gambino limo, which had to be towed away.
In February of 1996, he was pulled over for speeding, while driving a Gambino limo, and when they discovered he had a suspended license, he was arrested. Makes a person wonder why he was so irresponsible as to drive pother people for a living, when he was such a poor driver. Also astonishing is the fact that the Gambino Limo Company would keep a person with such a bad record in their employment.

Gnida later claimed he didn't have an explantion for why he went off the road--he said he might have "blacked out"--but police have reason to believe that he might have been drinking and/or smoking marijuana shortly prior to the accident. Gnida's injuryies consisted some strained ligaments, and he was released from the hospital the Sunday following the accident, June 15.

Konstantinov, Mnatsakonov, and Fetisov were attended to at the scene by two off-duty paramedics who happened to be at the vetrinary clinic across the street from the accident. All three were taken to William Beaumont hospital. Vladdie and Sergei were pronounced in serious condition, and Fetisov in good condition. Fetisov was released June 18. His injuries were a bruised lung, chest lacerations, and a slightly injured right knee.

Vladdie and Sergei remained comatose for several weeks. Vladdie was declared fully out of his coma on July 23, five weeks after the crash. Sergei had emerged earlier. Both began the long painful task of rehabilitation. Vladdie was released from the hospital November 9, 1997. He had just began to speak in English and his native Russian, and had began to re-learn how to walk. He and his wife, Irina, and daughter, Anastasia, left to spend the winter in Florida. Doctors thought the warm weather and greater privacy would aid rehabilitation. Valeri Kamensky of the Colorado Avalanche genorously lent his Florida home to the Konstantinovs.

January 1998: (L-R)Wings forward Doug Brown,
head trainer John Wharton, and assistant
coach Dave Lewis visit with Vladdie

Slava Fetisov was able to join the team at the start of the 1997-98 season, and he played not only for himself, but for Vladdie, too. The Wings were inspired all season long to win for their injured teammates. Entering the 1998 playoffs, nothing could stop them . They defeated Phoenix, St. Louis, and Dalls in 6 games each. Vladdie and Sergei watched Game 4 from the owners suite, and when Budd Lynch formally welcomed them over the PA system, the Joe exploded into cheers. The fans leaped to their feet and Vladdie and Sergei waved and smiled amidst wild applause.

The Wings faced off against the Washington Capitals in the Stanley Cup Finals, and easily won the first 3 games, on their way to 2 consecutive sweeps to win back-to-back Cups. Game 3 had special meaning. It was played on June 13, 1998. Exactly one year after the horrible crash. Game 4 was a big win for the Wings, but the 4-1 score was not the biggest story. A few minutes into the third period, every eye turned to Section 116. Wings fans and Capitals fans alike rose to their feet in a spontaneous ovation for a very special member of the Detroit Red Wings. Vladdie Konstantinov smiled and waved to his fans, and then, supported by his wife, Irina, he rose to his feet, flashing the old Vladinator smile. The Wings and Capitals banged their sticks against the boards, and after that, there was no way that Washington could win.

Vladdie Konstantinov and Slava Fetisov enjoy a celebratory cigar.

When the final horn started, signaling that the Wings had done what so many said was impossible--win Repeat Cups--Vladdie joined them on the ice for the celebrating. The fans, Detroit and Washington fans together, began to chant, "Vlad-die!! Vlad-die!! Vlad-die!!" Slava Fetisov knelt beside him and they beamed at each other. Igor Larionov hugged him from behind and kissed him on both cheeks, Russian-style. As soon as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman presented Captain Steve Yzerman with Lord Stanley, Stevie skated over and placed the Silver Chalice in Vladdie's lap. The team gathered around his wheelchair for a team picture, whooping and holding up 2 fingers.

Vladdie was present at team festivities all week. He and Sergei rode in a float in the victory parade. After the parade, a rally was held in Hart Plaza to give the players a chance to speak to the fans. Vladdie and Sergei were wheeled onto the platform to take their places with the team, and there was not a dry eye in the audience as Vladdie slowly stood, and walked across the stage with the help of John Wharton and Slava Fetisov.

Vladdie and Papa Bear put on their Championship hats

"I think he paid a price and he still will throughout his life.
Because what he did will always stick with him.
Just like it will stick with us throughout our lives."
--Sergei Fedorov, talking about Gnida--

Please continue to pray for Vladdie and Sergei. They still have months and years of rehab ahead of them, and it is very painful and often discouraging. Also pray for their families. You can write to them

c/o Detroit Red Wings
Joe Louis Arena
600 Civic Center Drive
Detroit, MI, 48226

Thanks to Broken Wings The Night The Cheering Stopped by Dave Schultz of the Birmingham Police,with Charlie Vincent of the Detroit Free Press for much of this information.

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