Devastating news coming out of Russia: A plane crash near Yaroslavl has reportedly claimed the lives of many members of the KHL’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Have seen conflicting reports on survivors in the past few minutes on Twitter, but either way, what a tragedy. The playing roster includes many names familiar to North American hockey fans (though none who played here), including head coach Brad McCrimmon and assistant Igor Korolev, both former NHLers. Edit: Tom Gulitti says former Rangers and Islanders defenseman Alexander Karpovtsev, a Cup-winner with the Rangers in 1994, is also an assistant. There’s still no confirmation even of who was on the plane. Very much developing. Very much heartbreaking.
Edit2: Via Dmitry Chesnokov, a list of the dead from SovSport. It does include Karpovtsev, former Islanders forward Josef Vasicek and former Rangers/Devils defenseman Karel Rachunek.
Edit3: In happier news, Jean Bourbeau to Elmira is official.