Dozens dead in KHL plane crash; 3 with Nashville Predators ties reported on board

by Dirk Hoag on Sep 7, 2011 12:01 PM EDT in Nashville Predators News

Terrible news comes out of Russia this morning:

The opening of the KHL's fourth season has been marred after a passenger jet carrying members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl ice hockey team crashed near the Yaroslavl airport.

On the first day of the new KHL season Russian ice hockey fans were shocked by the news of the tragedy, which took the lives of one of the league's favorites, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl.

There are three former members of the Nashville Predators family on the Lokomotiv roster, including former players Karlis Skrastins, and Josef Vasicek, along with Robert Dietrich, who played two years in Milwaukee. The team was coached by former NHL defenseman Brad McCrimmon, and includes other NHL players like Pavol Demitra and Ruslan Salei.

Peter Adler with the Edmonton Journal has posted a list of people on board the plane, which includes all three with Preds ties noted above.

This story is obviously developing throughout the day, with the Globe & Mail citing a figure of 43 dead at this point.

The KHL issued the following statement:

On Wednesday, September 7^th, the sport of hockey witnessed a devastating loss. A YK-42 plane that was carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team to its first game of the 2011/2012 Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) season in Minsk, crashed while departing from Yaroslavl.

KHL statement regarding today's tragedy in Yaroslavl:

"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."

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Also more information from the KHL main website.

by OddManRush on Sep 7, 2011 12:03 PM EDT reply actions

@dchesnokov Dmitry Chesnokov
As we updated on Puck Daddy, Russia-24 TV channel is reporting that Alexander Galimov who survived the crash, has passed away.
9 minutes ago

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, and Boogaard.

by CAustin on Sep 7, 2011 12:08 PM EDT reply actions

SlavaMalamud Slava Malamud
More conflicting reports on Galimov (fight, kid!) and now an additional unconfirmed report about Salei’s not being on flight.

Crew member Alexander Sizov has suffered burns on 30% of his body. No additional news, yet. As of now, the only survivor.

by DonBorvio on Sep 7, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Guess we’ll have to wait for the dust to settle on this one :(

by DonBorvio on Sep 7, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Buccigross tweets

Latvian officials confirmed the death of Latvian defenseman Karlis Skrastins.

by OddManRush on Sep 7, 2011 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

Terrible, terrible tragedy. “Skrats” was one of my favorite players because he was the first Preds draft pick to play a game for the team. I remember being at his first game and how he developed into a good, solid stay-at-home defenseman. R.I.P.

by Griz-ATL on Sep 7, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

He and Timonen were my first favorites. Loved the way Karlis played and went about his job, soft-spoken, and was very proud when he achieved the consecutive games played record for a defenseman.

by OddManRush on Sep 7, 2011 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions

So Ruslan Salei may not have been on board?

Oh hockey, what tragedy will hit you next … :(

by SKSmith on Sep 7, 2011 12:40 PM EDT reply actions

Wish there was something more we could do than just pray for the people on that plane, but that much we can do. This is just devastating.

Belarussians play better as a family.......get AK46!

by Grizzledbear on Sep 7, 2011 1:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

The Preds family loses another former #3 :(

I know its really just a meaningless coincidence in the face of all this tragedy. I was always a big fan of Skrastins and was disappointed when he left the Preds.

by Popov on Sep 7, 2011 1:25 PM EDT reply actions

A #3 patch on the jersey this year is definitely in order.

by Griz-ATL on Sep 7, 2011 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed. Something like this would be so easy for them to do quickly for this season to apply to helmets or as a jersey patch or something.

Skrastins was one of my favorite early players here, and I immediately saw the connection with Wade in respect to them both wearing the number 3. I guess as part of the grieving process I went ahead and did this earlier this morning to kind of help refocus me.

by OddManRush on Sep 7, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Well Done

I wonder if there are small numbers that we can have sewn onto our jerseys?

by WINB on Sep 7, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

This may be a bad idea, but what about retiring No. 3?

It’s not necessarily a suggestion. I have mixed feelings about it. Just wondering if anyone has thoughts on this. I can understand all positions on this, from “absolutely not” to “great idea.” Initially this thought had little to do with Skrastins, but that’s an interesting connection. Never heard of a situation where a team retired a number on behalf of more than one player.

by el pucko on Sep 7, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think I’ve seen a number retired tragically in the NHL. The Minnesota Vikings retired Korey Stringer’s number when he died while at training camp from the heat. So, really, I’m all for it.

by DonBorvio on Sep 7, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions

What you’ll probably see here is an unofficial retirement. The number won’t likely be worn again, but nothing would be hung from the rafters. That happens occasionally.

Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and founder of HockeyGearHQ, a site devoted to hockey equipment and accessories. Catch me on Twitter, or join OTF on Facebook!

by Dirk Hoag on Sep 7, 2011 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s really where my thoughts ended up going, and I can imagine the organization considering this. There is plenty of time to get that done, especially for two notable players.

by OddManRush on Sep 7, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

The NHL and Wednesdays just do not get along

I move for a vote to get rid of all wednesdays!

by Shadow23 on Sep 7, 2011 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

What a horrible summer it’s been for the hockey community

by Lil cutie on Sep 7, 2011 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

Just saw this, too...

@dexshow Mark Dekanich
Shocked and saddened to hear of this tragedy. One of my teammates in MKE was on that plane. I don’t know what to say…
10 minutes ago

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, and Boogaard.

by CAustin on Sep 7, 2011 2:05 PM EDT reply actions

so now are those same people show said kids and parents should have mental evaluations before playing hockey, going to say the same thing about flying?

60% of the time it works every time

by Creeping Death on Sep 7, 2011 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

This sucks.

by preds4ever on Sep 7, 2011 4:01 PM EDT reply actions

Rest In Peace Robert Dietrich

Not the biggest player by any means, but he would go into any corner for a puck no matter who was there and played with more heart than alot of bigger players that have come through Milwaukee.

Miss ya #25…

What happens on the ice...stays on the ice...

by BrianAdsFan on Sep 7, 2011 5:01 PM EDT reply actions