This is one of the things that sets "hockey people" apart from other sports (and their fans). It would be so easy for the Detroit Red Wings organization and their fans to have forgotten Vladimir Konstantinov by now (five years after that horrible limo accident that nearly killed him, Slava Fetisov and Wings trainer Sergei Mnatsakanov). But he continues to be part of the family, not shunted off to some care facility or shut in at home, but as much a part of the Red Wings organization as he can be. It would be so much easier on the player known as "Vlad the Impaler" to simply stay home and let his care staff take care of him. But he gets up and gives it another go every day.

For that, I have a hell of a lot of respect for the Detroit Red Wings. And Vlad is an even bigger hero to me these days.