Igor Grigorenko, whose biography is discussed in this article, is a well-known Russian hockey player, playing the position of striker. He played for different teams, now defends the colors of “Salavat Yulaev”. World champion in the junior and youth national team of Russia.
Athlete Biography
Igor Grigorenko was born in April 1983 in the automobile capital of Russia - the city of Togliatti. He made his first hockey steps here, at the Lada sports school. Since childhood, Igor was distinguished not only by good speed and technique, but also by his very quick-tempered character.
At the age of 15, Grigorenko is enrolled in the Lada youth team. So began his long hockey career. For two seasons in “Lada-2” Grigorenko proved to be an effective striker.
Professional career
In 2000, Igor Grigorenko joined the ranks of the Samara air force CSK, which played in the major league. During the season, the 17-year-old striker spent 39 fights, scored ten goals and assisted teammates the same number of times.
This year he had a unique chance to cross the ocean, where he was selected by the NHL Draft in one of the most powerful clubs - Detroit Red Wings. However, Igor decided to stay in Russia.
In 2001, Grigorenko returned to his native Togliatti, becoming one of the leaders of the local Lada. In the 2001/02 season, he played in 41 matches, gaining 17 (8 + 9) points. In the next draw of the Russian Championship, he improved his performance, gaining 29 (19 + 10) points in 47 matches.
May 16, 2003 almost became a tragic date for the young hockey player. Grigorenko had a terrible car accident, as a result of which he received hip and ankle fractures. In addition, as a result of complications, the athlete's health condition deteriorated sharply. Doctors gave only 10% that Igor would survive.
But Grigorenko used these chances to the full. He not only survived, but also quickly began to restore his health. Already in December, amazed fans greeted him with a standing ovation at the Lada-2 game, in which he took shape for some time.
Igor Grigorenko spent the 2004/05 season at Salavat Yulaev, where he scored 18 (11 + 7) points in 30 games. The following year, he moved to Cherepovets “Severstal”, in which, with 13 goals, he became the team’s top scorer.
In the 2006/07 season, Grigorenko decided to try his hand at the overseas league. However, after 5 games held in the AHL for the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Russian striker returned to his homeland, where he again began to play for Salavat Yulaev.
For five and a half seasons spent as part of the Ufa club, Grigorenko spent 218 fights, in which he scored 72 goals and gave 63 assists. Since the 2009/10 season he has been an unchanged team captain.
Since October 2012 Igor Grigorenko is a hockey player of the capital CSKA. In his composition, the striker spent three seasons, in 2013 he became a finalist of the Spengler Cup, and in 2015 - a participant in the KHL All-Star Game.
After completing the contract with CSKA, Igor returned to Salavat Yulaev, which he has become his family, for which he now stands.
Team appearances
Igor Grigorenko began his performances at international competitions as part of the junior team. In 2001, together with his peers he won at the UMF. And a year later he repeated this achievement, only with the Russian youth team. In 2003, the U-20 team with Grigorenko again won the World Cup.
Igor was repeatedly called to the main team of the country. He participated in world championships in 2003 and 2006, as well as at the stages of the European hockey tour.