Two Chicago Blackhawks players were discovered dead among 43 plane crash victims.
Alexander Kapovtsev and Igor Korolev, both former Chicago Blackhawks, were among those killed in the horrific Russian plane crash that killed the bulk of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team on Wednesday morning.
Only two persons survived (one player and one crew member) of the 43 people proclaimed dead.
In response to the crash, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman issued the following statement.From 2000 until 2004, Alexander Karpovtsev was a defender with the Chicago Blackhawks. Alexander appeared in 182 games for the ‘Hawks over four seasons, scoring seven goals and assisting on 39 others.
Karpovtsev’s time in Chicago will sadly be remembered for being on the wrong end of a tirade by Blackhawks play-by-play announcer Pat Foley before he was traded to the New York Islanders. Despite the awful things that were said about Karpovtsev and his alleged “softness,” Alexander was a very talented player who will be forever missed.
Igor Korolev was a center who played in Chicago from 2001-2004. In three seasons with the Blackhawks, Korolev played 192 games, scored 16 goals, and had 35 assists.
Korolev was a unique Russian player. Most Russian players are known for being flashy or great skaters, but Korolev was unusual in that he was the type to do the dirty work. Every once in a while though, Igor Korolev was still able to surprise with a flashy play or two.
“We stand together with the entire KHL, NHL and hockey world in mourning today’s tragic news concerning the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team,” the Blackhawks released in a statement on Wednesday.
“The tragedy effects the Chicago Blackhawks family directly as we mourn the losses of Alexander Karpovtsev and Igor Korolev, two players who spent time with our organization and that our fans know well. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl organization.”
Both of these men will be forever missed, not only in Chicago, but throughout the hockey world.
Other notable names who perished in the crash include former NHL alumni Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei, Josef Vasicek, Karel Rachunek and Karlis Skrastins.
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