THE HOCKEY WORLD MOURNS: McCrimmon, Vasicek among those lost today in tragedy in Yaroslavl
Former Islanders assistant coach Brad McCrimmon and former Islanders center Josef Vasicek were among the more than 40 people killed when a YK-42 plane carrying the KHL club Lokomotiv crashed soon after departing Yaroslavl.
Former NHL players Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei, Alexander Karpovtsev (who played 3 games for the Islanders in 2004), Karlis Skrastins, Igor Korolev and Karel Rachunek and Devils prospect Alexander Vasyunov were among the other players who perished in the crash.
McCrimmon, an assistant coach in the late ’90s with the Islanders and most recently the Detroit Red Wings, recently took the job as the head coach of Lokomotiv. The man they called “Beast” appeared to be indestructible on and off the ice. In 1986-87, McCrimmon and Mark Howe formed one of the best defense tandems in modern history, each surpassing +80 in plus/minus.
Vasicek, who would have turned 31 on Monday, had 16 goals and 19 assists in the 2007-08 season for the Islanders before signing in the KHL. The 6-4 center was a strong hockey player and a true gentleman. He was one of Radek Martinek’s best friends, serving as an usher in Radek’s wedding.
Both Brad and Joe, and everyone lost in today’s tragedy, will be greatly missed.
51 Responses to THE HOCKEY WORLD MOURNS: McCrimmon, Vasicek among those lost today in tragedy in Yaroslavl
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JP91 says:
Such tragic news and a very sad off-season for the NHL and the hockey world in general.
May this coming season be dedicated to those who are no longer with us…
Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien, Wade Belak, and the entire Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team…
Thoughts and prayers are with all…
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Smitty031 says:
This is awful, awful news. My thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.
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Chris R says:
This has deff been the most tragic off season in history. RIP Lokomotiv.
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mht says:
Horrible tragedy. May they all rest in peace.
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ASL says:
Horrible. Rest in Peace.
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Vlad Brooklyn says:
Very dark day for the Hockey world
. Isles were one of the reasons Yashin was not on that plane. Deepest thoughts to the hockey players’ and the flight crew’s families. -
Horrific tragedy…words can not say enough….RIP, thoughts to family and friends of all lost.
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Brian G says:
RIP
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Madchef says:
Enjoy life every day because you never know when it can be taken from you. Such a tragedy and horrific accident.Rough off-season for the Hockey world.
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Glens says:
Very sad, god I can’t put onto words how I feel right now. God bless all that were lost today as well as there families. I think the whole entire Hockey season NHL,KHL and every league around the world should pay respect.
Again may they all R.I.P…. -
Roop says:
This is just heartbreaking.
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Gary says:
rip
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Steve10703 says:
What a sad day for the sport after a tough off season with 3 players dying as well. RIP to all those that passed away in this horrible crash. Considering how much flying professional sports teams and athletes do in this day and age, we just have to thank the good Lord that there haven’t been more of these tragedies. Let’s pray that this will be the last.
If I’m not mistaken, this was the team that Yash had played for the last two seasons.
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joee says:
Prays and thought to all involved “Rest in peace “
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corey says: I cant believe this happened. Its so sad. I hope the NHL does something to remember everyone like a patch on a jersey or a sticker on a helmet. RIP
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EightBits says:
Didn’t Karpovtsev also have a cup of coffee with the Isles years ago?
Wow, this is incredibly tragic. My heart goes out to all the families.
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Corey, I agree I think they should and hopefully they do. Very sad. R.I.P to all.
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sean says:
Man this is the saddest off-season for hockey in years. Thoughts And prayers out to the families. Such terrible news.
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Isles81 says:
Please all pray for the familes and friends of everyone lost.
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Thomas32 says:
Terrible, tragic incident. Thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of those lost. Words can not describe the shock I felt when I learned of the news. Such a blow to the Hockey world today.
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geduffer says:
I didn’t cry when my father passed away, but this got to me. I just can’t make any sense of it all. An overloaded Russian aircraft at the end of it’s service life and all of these lives are snuffed out. All of hockey, fans included, is in mourning today.
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JKP in Halifax says:
Death can be so senseless and random.
A sad day and tragic incident.
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so incredibly sad. hockey loses more again today…so sad.
RIP, and my thoughts and prayers go out to their families and loved ones. -
MikeInNYC says:
All plane crashes are tragic and unbelievably hard on everyone affected. Not to belittle other crashes vs. this one in the name of sports, but to lose a team of close-knit friends in one fell swoop is a very sobering occurence, probably more so than if it was a plane full of strangers. Sad day for the sport on a world-wide level.
Vasicek was really one of the first lightning-in-a-bottle, low-risk/high-reward-type acquisitions that Garth Snow made (and is now known for). Vasicek had a great year for the Isles that year.
Condolences to all those affected.
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Tony says:
Been thinking about this since I heard the news. Some of these players I rooted for (and against). Thank you all for the memories. RIP.
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A wise man once said “Into each life, a little rain must fall” A dark and dismal day in the hockey world indead. God bless them all. may their sole rest in eternal peace….God speed!
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Rob Cush says:
Devastating news. Very tough offseason for hockey.
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Isles14 says:
I always think about how sports teams travel by air so much and you never hear about anything happening to them, which I used to use to soothe myself before I every flight I take. I guess the law of averages dictated this had to happen one day. Awful, awful, awful news. May they rest in peace. Condolences to their families. Some great players.
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Daryl says:
RIP. An uncool off season for hockey this year so far.
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Chris A says:
Jova was one of my favorites during his stay on the Island and Pavol Demitra was simply one of my favorites as a community we mourn, and our thoughts and prayers go to all those affected by this tragedy
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Jim From EI says:
thoughts and prayers to all the families and friends who lost someone today. Very sad day indeed.
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David Buziashvili says:
They were all class acts and will be severely missed!
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Steve M says: terrible off-season for the hockey world this summer. My condolences to the families and friends affected by this.
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booten326 says:
rip
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Shoogah says:
I really didn’t want to recognize any names on that list. After all of this off-season tragedy, I’m hoping for a peaceful hockey season.
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Steve J says:
Yet another sad day for our sport this summer. Prayers to all the families.
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Jim Clark says: Absolutely horrible and may God be with all these people and give strength to their families in this tragedy.
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coralspringsislefan says:
Very sad news and very difficult to absorb so many losses of life. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families, friends, players and organizations that lost loved ones today. God Bless.
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BIGSAVE77 says:
I am in total shock. God bless everyone on board that flight. I wonder why Yashin wasn’t on board. He must feel horrible. I can’t imagine what he is feeling right now.
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I correct that he played for Locomotiv 3 seasons ago. He played for St.Petersburg the last 2 seasons.
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Kbelanger33 says:
RIP all who were lost-god bless their families
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onesinceforty says:
Our family got a phone call once about a plane crash and a family member. It is so sad and shocking it is inconcievable.
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islebethere4u says:
Rest in peace and may God bless the families of all who were lost.
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Tom D in NJ says:
Very sad, a terrible loss. RIP men.
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Claude says:
Rest in peace Pavol. You were one bad ass hockey player
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very sad day for the sport we love. may they all rip and my condolences to all the families of this terrible tragedy.
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hathead68 says:
Godspeed and RIP… thoughts and prayers for everyone on the plane. God bless, courage and strength to all their families, friends, and loved ones.
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Awful awful tragedy. I hope opening ceremonies for each team will have a moment of silence for all that has happened this summer.
Thoughts and prayers go out to all those lost. May they rest in peace.