Sportsnet Follows Lokomotiv's Resurrection

((HT: Sportsnet))

The HQ had a personal attachment to the plane crash that wiped out the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team on September 7, 2011.

Atlanta Thrashers assistant coach Brad McCrimmon was doing the same as the head coach with Lokomotiv at the time of the crash and we remember him for his hard-nosed play on the ice and teachings off it.

The KHL let them reassemble for the 2012 season with a bunch of young kids and Tom Rowe as head coach. One year later, Pyotr Vorobyov is now in charge of young kids who are a year older...

If you follow the NHL, you'll recognize the name of goalie Curtis Sanford and that's about it...
But, they haven't turtled and they're three points clear of the 8th playoff spot in the Western Division...

Here's a look at their road back...

As a side note, relatives of six players are seeking 105 million rubles ($3 million) in a lawsuit filed late last week.

The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for moral damages, insurance payments, burial expenses, property damage and survivors' benefits from Yak Service, the charter company operating the flight, and insurance firms.

The HQ hopes they get it, too...

DEVELOPING: Pilot Error In Yaroslavl Crash

((HT: RussiaToday))

The Interstate Aviation Committee said the September 7th crash of the plane carrying the Yaroslavl Lokomotiv hockey team occurred because one of the two pilots accidentally activated the brakes and then yanked a control wheel to his chest, pulling the plane up too sharply in a desperate attempt to take off.

Apparently, the pilots had flown planes similar to the Yak-42, but not a Yak-42. So there were slight and subtle differences in flying the plane- enough to make it crash. Add to that possible repercussions by superiors for aborting take-off, and you've got a class A mess...

Lead investigator Alexei Morozov blamed the plane's owner, Yak-Service, for failing to observe safety standards and adequately train the crew. The company was closed in September by Russia's version of the FAA following a check that found severe violations.

"The company practically lacked a proper system of flight oversight and controls over air safety," Morozov said.

Too late...

Morozov also said the second pilot was taking phenobarbital -- a sedative that controls seizures. Pilots aren't supposed to take that medicine and still be pilots. He said the second pilot suffered from polyneuropathy -- a neurological disorder that could affect the feet and hands and cause weakness and loss of sensation.

Here's the story in video form...


The HQ hopes that the families take Yak-Service to the wall and that there's nothing left of them by the time they're through...

DEVELOPING: Yaroslavl Withdrawing From KHL

((HT: RussiaToday))

It appears that the season for the KHL's Lokomotiv Yaroslavl franchise and their affiliation with the league is on hold...

Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko said Yaroslavl would be demoted to a lower league, the Major Hockey League, as part of a gradual rebuilding program.

Lokomotiv president Yury Yakovlyev says the team might begin playing in December...

Here's video from the ceremonial mass in Minsk- where Lokomotiv was to play their KHL season opener...


In other news, the lone player that survived the plane crash has died from his injuries in hospital. Alexander Galimov suffered burns over 90-percent of his body and was a local product of the Lokomotiv system...

DEVELOPING: KHL Yaroslavl Franchise In Plane Crash, 36 Reported Dead

A Yak-42 passenger jet carrying members of the KHL's Lokomotiv Yaroslavl crashed on takeoff with the majority of players from the roster on board. Numbers from 43 to 37 were reported on board- presumably including crew and officers. The lone survivor is said to have critical injuries.

A handful of former NHLers were on Yaroslavl's roster, including Ruslan Salei, Pavol Demitra, and head coach (and former Atlanta Thrashers assistant) Brad McCrimmon. No word on who and how many from the roster were on board the plane itself, but there is talk that the plane was packed with the entire roster... Details below...

According to Puck Daddy, the franchise was heading to its KHL season opener in Belarus.

From Puck Daddy:

Lokomotiv official tells Sovetsky Sport 'everyone from the main roster was on the plane plus four players from the youth team.' Lokomotiv official said the entire team was on the plane because they were traveling for the 1st game of the season, a celebration.


More when we know more...

Here's Russian news coverage from Russia24 and youtube


"People were drawn to Demo. He was a great friend and great teammate," Matt Keator, Demitra's agent, told Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "He was always the type to bring people together. This is just awful. He was such a popular guy with everyone he has ever played with."

Here's crash scene video, thanks to youtube again...


"We have no team anymore," Vladimir N. Malkov, the team spokesman, said in a telephone interview with The New York Times. "All our starting players, and all the service people, they all burned in the crash."

Coach Brad McCrimmon, forward Pavol Demitra, defenseman Ruslan Salei, forward Josef Vasicek, defenseman Karel Rachunek, forward Jan Marek, forward Alexander Vasyunov, defenseman Karlis Skrastins and goalie Stefan Liv are among the confirmed fatalities.

As of 1400 HRS, the only survivor in the crash is one of the crew...

PM UPDATE: Here's coverage from Russia Today


The final numbers are 45 on board and 43 dead...
One player and one crew man are in grave condition at hospital...