DETROIT (WXYZ) -- Detroit Red Wings forward Vladislav Namestnikov called it a "dream come true" to play for the same team that his uncle, Slava Kozlov, helped win two Stanley Cup championships.
"I grew up watching the Red Wings' games, so it's extremely special for me," Namestnikov told reporters Monday during the team's traning camp at Little Caesars Arena. "Every time I show up to the rink, it's like 'oh my God, dream come true.'"
Beyond the legend of the "Russian Five," who helped Detroit capture the 1997 and 1998 Stanley Cup titles, Namestnikov has an everyday reminder of his uncle: Kozlov's photo on the wall of the Red Wings dressing room.
"I sit directly across from it, so when I look up, I see him," said Namestnikov. "So it's very exciting for me, for my family that I'm playing for the Red Wings."
Detroit signed Namestnikov to a two-year contract in October.
