Vladimir Tarasenko Bio
Vladimir Andreyevich Tarasenko (born 13 December 1991) is a Russian professional ice hockey right winger for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 185 cm and weighing 99 kg, Tarasenko has spent more than a decade in professional hockey and is widely regarded as one of the most consistent goal scorers of his generation. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, having lifted the trophy with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and the Florida Panthers in 2024.
Selected 16th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Tarasenko has also represented Russia at multiple international tournaments, including the Winter Olympics and the IIHF World Championship. Known for his precise wrist shot and reliable scoring touch, he continues to play a meaningful role in the NHL.
Early Life and Background
Vladimir Andreyevich Tarasenko was born on 13 December 1991 in Yaroslavl, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. He grew up in a household deeply rooted in hockey, with his father, Andrei Tarasenko, serving as both a parent and a coach during his early development. Andrei was a former Russian league scoring champion and Olympian who competed at the 1994 Winter Olympics, providing young Vladimir with an elite perspective on the sport from a young age.
The younger Tarasenko was exposed to high-level hockey through his father’s background and through his time in the Sibir Novosibirsk youth system. The combination of family guidance and competitive play in Russia helped him develop into one of the most promising prospects of his draft class.
Path to Hockey
Tarasenko made his professional debut with Sibir Novosibirsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) in 2008–09, recording seven goals and ten points in 38 games and finishing as runner-up for Rookie of the Year in the league’s inaugural season. He was released to play with the Russian junior team at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he scored eight goals in seven games and was named a tournament all-star as Russia won silver.
Returning to Sibir in 2009–10 as one of the youngest players in the KHL, Tarasenko again represented Russia at the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. International Scouting Services ranked him as the top European skater and fourth overall ahead of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. On 13 January 2012, he was traded to SKA Saint Petersburg, and on 2 June 2012 he announced his decision to move to North America and join the St. Louis Blues.
Vladimir Tarasenko Career
Early Career (2008–2012)
Tarasenko began his professional career with Sibir Novosibirsk, becoming a notable contributor in the KHL during his teenage years. His strong debut season earned him recognition as one of the league’s top young players, and his international success at junior tournaments further elevated his profile.
In January 2012, Sibir traded him to SKA Saint Petersburg. When the 2012–13 NHL lockout cancelled much of the North American season, Tarasenko remained with SKA and credited part of that decision to playing alongside captain Ilya Kovalchuk. Once the lockout ended, he made the transition to the NHL.
St. Louis Blues Era (2012–2023)
Tarasenko began the shortened 2012–13 NHL season with the Blues and scored his first two career NHL goals on his first two shots on 19 January 2013 against Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings. He was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for January and finished his first season with eight goals and 11 assists in 38 games.
During the 2014–15 season, Tarasenko recorded his first career NHL hat-trick against Kari Lehtonen of the Dallas Stars and finished the campaign leading the Blues with 37 goals and 73 points. On 18 April 2015, he scored his first playoff hat-trick against Devan Dubnyk of the Minnesota Wild. In July 2015, he signed an eight-year, $60 million contract extension. Tarasenko is known for his very accurate and unique wrist shot, which has earned him a reputation as one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the NHL.
In 2019, Tarasenko won the Stanley Cup with the Blues, the franchise’s first championship in 52 years. He recorded 11 goals during that playoff run and became the first player in Blues playoff history to score a goal on a penalty shot. Despite later shoulder surgeries and a 2021 trade request, Tarasenko rebounded in 2021–22 with 34 goals and 82 points, helping St. Louis reach the second round of the 2022 playoffs. He played parts of 11 seasons in St. Louis, appearing in three NHL All-Star Games.
New York Rangers (2023)
On 9 February 2023, Tarasenko was traded to the New York Rangers alongside defenceman Niko Mikkola. He scored his first Rangers goal 2:49 into his debut against the Seattle Kraken, the fourth-fastest goal in Rangers debut history. Tarasenko posted eight goals and 21 points in 31 games with New York and added three goals and four points in seven playoff games.
Ottawa Senators (2023–2024)
As an unrestricted free agent, Tarasenko signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Ottawa Senators on 27 July 2023. He made his debut on 11 October 2023 and scored his first Senators goal on 15 October against the Tampa Bay Lightning. On 12 January 2024, he registered his 600th career NHL point. After the Senators fell out of playoff contention, general manager Steve Staios asked Tarasenko to waive his no-movement clause ahead of the trade deadline.
Florida Panthers (2024)
On 6 March 2024, Ottawa traded Tarasenko to the Florida Panthers. He scored his first two Panthers goals on 9 March against Jacob Markström in a 5–1 win over the Calgary Flames. He finished the 2023–24 regular season with six goals and eight assists in 19 games and added five goals and four assists in 24 playoff games. On 24 June 2024, Tarasenko won his second Stanley Cup after the Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers 2–1 in Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final.
Detroit Red Wings Era (2024–2025)
An unrestricted free agent again after the Panthers’ championship run, Tarasenko signed a two-year, $9.5 million contract with the Detroit Red Wings on 3 July 2024. After one season in Detroit in which he underperformed relative to expectations, he was traded to the Minnesota Wild on 30 June 2025 in exchange for future considerations.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tarasenko’s game is built around a precise and powerful wrist shot that has made him one of the most dangerous goal scorers in the NHL. He is recognized for his combination of strength and mobility, allowing him to play effectively in all situations. His reliability in key moments and his ability to score at a high rate across multiple seasons have defined his professional career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Tarasenko’s signature moments are his Stanley Cup wins with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and the Florida Panthers in 2024, his first NHL hat-trick against the Dallas Stars in 2014, and his 600th career point in January 2024. He was also the cover athlete for EA Sports’ NHL 17 and captained Russia to a gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
Vladimir Tarasenko Career Wins
Vladimir Tarasenko has built a strong record of wins and championships across professional and international play, highlighted by two Stanley Cup titles and consistent goal-scoring production at the NHL level.
NHL Highlights
Tarasenko won his first Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019, scoring 11 goals during the playoff run. He won his second Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers in 2024, contributing five goals and four assists in 24 postseason games. He appeared in three NHL All-Star Games during his tenure with the Blues.
International Highlights
Tarasenko won silver with Russia at the 2009 IIHF World U18 Championships and captained Russia to gold at the 2011 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. At the senior level, he represented Russia at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and won silver at the 2015 IIHF World Championship.
Vladimir Tarasenko Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Tarasenko’s family background is deeply connected to hockey. His father, Andrei Tarasenko, was a former Russian league scoring champion and Olympian who competed at the 1994 Winter Olympics. Andrei also served as Vladimir’s coach during his early years with Sibir Novosibirsk, shaping his development as a professional player.
Personal Life
Tarasenko and his wife were married on 1 July 2015. The couple has two sons, and his wife also has a son from a previous marriage. He was featured as the cover athlete for EA Sports’ NHL 17, reflecting his stature within the sport.
2025 Season Performance
Following his trade to the Minnesota Wild on 30 June 2025, Tarasenko joined his new team ahead of the 2025–26 NHL season. The move offered a fresh opportunity after a single underwhelming campaign in Detroit and reunited him with a competitive Western Conference roster.
Tarasenko’s role with the Wild is expected to centre on top-six scoring and power-play production, areas where his precise wrist shot remains a valuable asset. His experience from two Stanley Cup runs is also expected to benefit a young Minnesota forward group.
With a two-year contract running through the 2025–26 season, Tarasenko will look to regain his form as one of the NHL’s most reliable goal scorers and contribute to the Wild’s push toward postseason play.