Tom Cavanagh. Derek Boogaard. Rick Rypien. Wade Belak. And now the entire Yaroslavl Lokomotiv team has perished when their suspected over-weight Yak-42 failed to reach proper altitude on takeoff, struck a radio tower, and plunged into the riverbank of the Volga river, bursting into flames.
The youngest player on the plane was 18. His name was Maxim Shuvalov.
Rouyn-Noranda Huskies forward Sergei Ostapchuk was on the plane. Upon hearing news of his death his poor mother died of a heart attack.
Captain Belarus Ruslan Salei was on that plane. They were heading for their first game of the season in Minsk and had called ahead for tickets to give to his friends and family.
Karlis Skrastins was on that plane. Once upon a time I nicknamed him "Scratches" because of his name.
Two members of the merry Russian Junior Team were on that plane. Making that gold medal win all the more memorable.
Stefan Liv, the adopted Polish orphan and Swedish goaltender in the Detroit system was on that plane. He was fairly decorated on the world stage.
Defenceman Alexander Galimov was reported to have survived the crash, but he was in critical condition with burns over 80% of his body. His present condition is unknown with mixed reports saying he has passed while others claim he hasn't. All we can do is hope he's still fighting.
Mr. Lady Byng and NHL All Star Pavol Demitra was on that plane. He recently announced his retirement from international play and represented Slovakia for the last time at the 2011 World Championships where the tournament was hosted. The crowd gave him an ovation.
Josef Vasicek was on that plane, Stanley Cup winner with Carolina in 2006.
Brad McCrimmon was on that plane. After a long NHL career and Cup champ with the Flames in 89, he was ready to start his life as a head coach. Lokomotiv was to be his first team.
The entire team. The entire coaching staff. Their support staff. The entire crew save one attendant who's status is currently unknown. All gone on a journey that was to mark the start of their season. A celebration turned tragedy in the blink of an eye. Fans brought flowers, candles, and prayers to early vigils at local arenas. The Opening Cup, a sort of rematch between the two final teams of last season, was interrupted; players bowed their heads and removed their helmets, weeping at the loss together with their fans. Players and hockey fans around the world joined them, devastated at the loss of life. Once again the hockey world is in mourning and the general feeling is numbness.
Dear Hockey Gods, why have you forsaken us?
1 comment:
Well said n31.
Post a Comment