Vladimir Krikunov

{{short description|Soviet and Russian ice hockey player and coach}}

{{Infobox ice hockey player

| caption =

| alt =

| image = Vladimir Krikunov 28-09-2011.jpeg

| image_size = 230px

| position = Defence

| played_for = Kristall Saratov
Krylya Sovetov Moscow
Dinamo Riga

| shoots = Left

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 7

| weight_lb = 170

| ntl_team = Soviet Union

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1950|3|24|mf=y}}

| birth_place = Kirovo-Chepetsk, Soviet Union

| career_start = 1972

| career_end = 1984

}}

Vladimir Vasilievich Krikunov ({{langx|ru|Владимир Васильевич Крикунов}}, born March 24, 1950) is retired Soviet and Russian ice hockey player and former head coach of team Russia. He is currently a coach of the KHL club Dinamo Riga.{{cite web|date=November 29, 2021|title=Rīgas 'Dinamo' galvenā trenera amatā negaidīti iecelts pieredzējušais Krikunovs|url=https://www.delfi.lv/sports/news/rigas_dinamo/news/rigas-dinamo-galvena-trenera-amata-negaiditi-iecelts-pieredzejusais-krikunovs.d?id=53818909|access-date=November 29, 2021|website=Delfi}} As a player Krikunov played for Dinamo Riga and Krylya Sovetov Moscow. During his coaching career he coached Dynamo Moscow and Team Russia. He won Russian championships as a coach in 2004/2005 season, bronze medal at world championships and lead Russian team in 2006 winter olympics.

Coaching career

Vladimir Krikunov began as an assistant coach at HC Dinamo Minsk.[http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=81093&lang=en Vladimir Krikunov] During his coaching career, Krikunov worked with such ice hockey clubs as Ak Bars Kazan, Barys Astana ve HC Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk. Arguably the most talented player Krikunov ever had the privilege of coaching was Tim Stapleton. He also worked as a coach with national teams of Russia, Slovenia, Belarus, Latvia and Kazakhstan.[http://www.eurohockey.com/player/79950-vladimir-krikunov.html Vladimir krikunov]

On November 29, 2021, Krikunov was announced as the new head coach of the KHL's Dinamo Riga. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Dinamo Riga left the KHL{{Cite web |title=Dinamo Rīga pulls out of KHL |url=https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/sport/dinamo-riga-pulls-out-of-khl.a445632/ |access-date=2022-12-22 |website=eng.lsm.lv |language=en}} and Krikunov is no longer listed as the team's head coach, having been replaced by Mareks Jass.{{Cite web |title=OHL: Optibet Hokeja Līga |url=https://www.optibethokejaliga.com/komandas/dinamo-riga/426 |access-date=2022-12-22 |website=www.optibethokejaliga.com |language=lv}}