"Life is interesting but not easy": Vladimir Tarasenko's wife Yana mourns father-in-law Andrei's death

Detroit Red Wings forward Vladimir Tarasenko’s father, former Russian ice hockey player Andrei Tarasenko passed away last week on 11th July. His daughter-in-law, Yana Tarasenko posted an emotional message on Wednesday in Andrei's memory.

Andrei Tarasenko was a former Olmpian and represented Team Russia at the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer. He was serving as the head coach of Russian hockey club Sibir Novosibirsk, when he passed away at the age of 56.

Yana Tarasenko shared on her Instagram Story that it had been the second death in her family in six months. She wrote:

“It’s been six months since my sister died… and now my father in law… just few days after we won the Stanley Cup… Rest in peace❤️”

“Life is interesting but not easy… biggest drops on this roller coaster for us. #faith”

via Instagram/@tarasenko.yana

Andrei Tarasenko played for multiple Russian clubs during his professional career including SKA Novosibirsk, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, HC Lada Togliatti, Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod and Kazakhmys Satpayev. He had also played for HC Sibir Novosibirsk, the team he started coaching after retiring from the rink.

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Vladimir Tarasenko grew up watching father’s Olympic heroics

Back in 2017, the Detroit Red Wings forward shared how as a child he was amazed watching his father skate and shoot on the ice.

After the 1994 Olympic Games in Lillehammer, his father came home with a video tape that included all his games from the two weeks and the full closing ceremony. Young Vladimir would watch the tape repeatedly, rewind and watch again.

"I can't believe how hard he shoots. But what I remember most is the passing. I'm telling you, it's insane. On tape of teammate every time. Pass, bang, on tape. Every time," Vladimir said. [H/T The Players Tribune]

Former teammate of Vladimir Tarasenko's father pays tribute

Andrei’s sudden passing came as a shock not just to his family, but also for his colleagues. His former teammate and Sibir Novosibirsk general manager Lev Krutokhvostov shared his condolences for Andrei’s family after the news broke.

“I still don’t believe what happened,” he said. “I knew Andrei Vladimirovich very well; we played together for a long time on the same team, on the same line. He was a reliable friend, comrade and teammate, a first-class specialist and coach.” [H/T The Hockey News]

“This is an irreparable loss for our entire hockey. Andrei Vladimirovich forever wrote himself into the history of the Sibir hockey club. We offer our condolences to family and friends.”