The Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, founded in 1949 as the team of the Railways Ministry, is one of Russia's leading hockey teams and came runner up in the Kontinental Hockey League in 2008 and 2009. In 1997 it took the Russian Superleague title and won back-to-back championships in 2002 and 2003. On Wednesday, shortly after takeoff, a plane carrying much of the team to their first game of the season crashed killing 43 people on board. This includes 35 players, coaches, and other team officials as well as 8 crew members.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement regarding the crash:
"Though it occurred thousands of miles away from our home arenas, this tragedy represents a catastrophic loss to the hockey world — including the NHL family, which lost so many fathers, sons, teammates and friends."
The National Hockey League Players' Asoociation said in a statement:
"Everyone within the NHLPA family is deeply saddened by the tragic passing today of players, coaches and staff from the KHL hockey club, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. The club included many former NHLPA members, as well as many members of the international hockey community. Words cannot express the profound sorrow that this loss has created. Our sincere condolences go out to the friends and families who have been impacted by this terrible tragedy."
International Ice Hockey Federation president Rene Fasel called the crash "the darkest day in the history of our sport."
"Despite the substantial air travel of professional hockey teams, our sport has been spared from tragic traffic accidents," Fasel said. "But only until now. This is the darkest day in the history of our sport. This is not only a Russian tragedy, the Lokomotiv roster included players and coaches from ten nations."
The following are former NHLers among the crash victims.
Pavol Demitra
Played for the Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Vancouver Canucks.
Ruslan Salei
Played for the Anaheim Ducks, Florida Panthers, Colorado Avalanche, and Detroit Red Wings.
Karel Rachunek
Played for the Ottawa Senators, New York Rangers, and New Jersey Devils.
Karlis Skrastins
Played for the Nashville Predators, Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars.
Josef Vasicek
Played for the Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, and New York Islanders.
Alexander Vasyunov
Played for the New Jersey Devils.
Brad McCrimmon
You may remember the final victim with NHL connections, the newly appointed head coach of the Lokomotiv. McCrimmon played for the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, Hartford Whalers, and Phoenix Coyotes. But it's his coaching career that hits home. He coached with the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Detroit Red Wings, and the Atlanta Thrashers. He was with the Thrashers for 4 seasons from 2003-2008. He will be missed and many are expressing their sympathy towards everyone that perished. You can read some of the kind words, specifically towards Brad, here and here.
This great tragedy had two survivors, both listed in grave condition at local hospitals. One is a crew member, the other a player, Russian Alexander Galimov.
The hockey world is in mourning and the KHL has their hands full with what to do, although the focus is primarily on the accident first.
They released the following statement:
"We are only beginning to understand the impact of this tragedy affecting the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl club and the international hockey community. First and foremost, our condolences go out to the families and friends of the players, coaches and staff lost in today's tragedy.
"We know that there are many in the KHL family who will be grieving with us. As the investigation of this tragedy progresses we will work closely with investigators, government officials, club executives and the Yaroslavl community. We are working to find an appropriate way to honor this club and begin the healing process from the deep loss so many of us feel today.
"We are aware that many of you have questions. This tragedy remains our primary focus. We ask for patience as we find an appropriate way to proceed with the 2011/2012 season. We will continue to communicate our plans as they take shape."
They have already said the schedule will continue on for the time being, but there will be no entertainment done during the games. Those games involving the Lokomotiv will not be played for the time being and the KHL game that was halted during play when news spread of the incident has yet to be decided.
This tragedy did kill almost everyone on the Lokomotiv roster, so it's hard to imagine what solution there will be since the KHL doesn't have an emergency plan already in place.
For the record, the NHL does have such a plan.
If a team is left with fewer than 14 players and one goaltender following some sort of catastrophe, the league sets in motion its Emergency Rehabilitation Plan.
First, the "disabled team" would be allowed to negotiate to buy players under contract from other teams, with payment coming from the insurance money.
If that didn't fill out the roster, a draft would be held, much like an expansion draft. Teams could protect 10 players and one goalie.
The disabled team would be allowed to take no more than one player from each of the other teams. The price for each player is $1 million in insurance money.
Again, those are the rules for the NHL concerning a catastrophic event, not the KHL. They will have to figure it out. But for now, the focus must remain on the tragedy at hand and it appears everyone is doing just that.
RIP. We are going black in a sign of sorrow and respect here at hockeycop for a while.
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