Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin grew up playing hockey with Alexander Galimov, a 26-year-old right wing who reportedly is one of two survivors from a plane crash Wednesday that killed 43 people near Ovechkin’s hometown of Moscow.
“It’s scary,” Ovechkin said after an informal workout at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex. “You never know how and you never know when. It’s a scary moment.”
Ovechkin said a friend informed him of the crash just before he got on the ice and he immediately went on the Internet to learn more. Former NHL players Karlis Skrastins and Pavol Dimitra along with former Red Wings assistant coach Brad McCrimmon are among the confirmed dead.
The plane, chartered by KHL team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, had taken off moments before from an airport near the city of Yaroslavl and was headed to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, where Lokomotiv was scheduled to play Dinamo Minsk Thursday in the opening game of the KHL season. The plane crashed into the Volga River about 150 miles northeast of Moscow.
“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 who at one time excelled in our league,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “Our deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of all who perished.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Ovechkin said. “It’s like a whole national tragedy.”
According to Russian reports, Galimov and a crew member were the only survivors of the crash. Both are reportedly in critical condition with severe burns. Ovechkin and Galimov were teammates during the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championships.
Capitals prospect Stanislav Galiev said he had good friends who played for Lokomotiv, including three of the team’s prospects, Yuri Urychev, Sergei Ostapchuk and Daniil Sobchenko.
“I’m just shocked,” Galiev said.
Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun, who was teammates with Skrastins for parts of seven seasons with the Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers, described Skrastins as one of his closest friends. Vokoun also played with another victim of the crash, Karel Rachunek, during the 2004-05 NHL lockout and on the Czech national team at the 2010 World Championships.
“It’s scary,” Ovechkin said after an informal workout at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex. “You never know how and you never know when. It’s a scary moment.”
Ovechkin said a friend informed him of the crash just before he got on the ice and he immediately went on the Internet to learn more. Former NHL players Karlis Skrastins and Pavol Dimitra along with former Red Wings assistant coach Brad McCrimmon are among the confirmed dead.
The plane, chartered by KHL team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, had taken off moments before from an airport near the city of Yaroslavl and was headed to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, where Lokomotiv was scheduled to play Dinamo Minsk Thursday in the opening game of the KHL season. The plane crashed into the Volga River about 150 miles northeast of Moscow.
“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 who at one time excelled in our league,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “Our deepest condolences go to the families and loved ones of all who perished.”
“I don’t know what to say,” Ovechkin said. “It’s like a whole national tragedy.”
According to Russian reports, Galimov and a crew member were the only survivors of the crash. Both are reportedly in critical condition with severe burns. Ovechkin and Galimov were teammates during the 2005 World Junior Hockey Championships.
Capitals prospect Stanislav Galiev said he had good friends who played for Lokomotiv, including three of the team’s prospects, Yuri Urychev, Sergei Ostapchuk and Daniil Sobchenko.
“I’m just shocked,” Galiev said.
Capitals goalie Tomas Vokoun, who was teammates with Skrastins for parts of seven seasons with the Nashville Predators and Florida Panthers, described Skrastins as one of his closest friends. Vokoun also played with another victim of the crash, Karel Rachunek, during the 2004-05 NHL lockout and on the Czech national team at the 2010 World Championships.
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