His death was announced today by Moscow Dynamo, the club he started his career at before leaving for the NHL where he played for the Winnipeg Jets, Detroit Red Wings and San Jose Sharks.

The Unified Team, composed of players from the newly emerged nations from the former Soviet Union, which had dissolved just weeks before the Games began, beat Canada 3-1 in the final at the Méribel Ice Palace to clinch the gold medal.

Following his appearance at Albertville 1992, Bautin was able to take advantage of the new opportunities offered by the collapse of the Soviet Union by joining Winnipeg Jets, becoming the 17th pick in the first round of the draft.

Bautin, who was born in Rahachow in what is now Belarus, played a total of 130 games for the Jets, scoring five goals and 25 assists for 30 points before joining the Detroit Red Wings in 1994.

He spent a year with the Red Wings before moving on to the San Jose Sharks.

After his NHL career ended, Bautin played in Sweden, Germany and Japan before finishing his career in Russia.

He continued to remain involved in the sport as a coach, working in the United States, Japan and Russia.

There has been no cause given for Bautin’s death.

"Dynamo expresses condolences to the family and friends of Sergei Viktorovich," Moscow Dynamo, who used to be captained by Bautin, said in a statement.

"This is an irreplaceable loss for the Dynamo family.

"We mourn with you."