Even In The Face of Tragedy, Lokomotiv Will Live On
September 7, 2011 4 Comments
Fans left flowers at a vigil set up by Dynamo Minsk outside the arena in memory of those lost in today's horrific plane crash
The hockey world was shocked, saddened, and stricken with great disbelief as reports came out that KHL team Lokomotiv Yaroslavl had been involved in a plane crash. Within minutes, it had been said that there were many fatalities and only as the news continued to spread did we begin to find out just how terrible a tragedy this was; Lokomotiv’s entire team was on board, and a total of 43 passengers had died as of 2:00 EST.
Shortly after the KHL had dropped the puck to signal the beginning of a new season, the teams were taken off the ice, informed of the tragedy, and shortly thereafter, the game was cancelled. An eerie silence fell throughout the building in Ufa where hometown Salavat Yulaev was set to take on Atlant Mytishchi in the Champions Cup. Fans, upon learning of what had happened, were dismayed and distraught, tears streaming down their faces, and a stunned, glazed look in the eyes of many.
Reports still continue to swirl about what will become of the KHL season and when it will continue, with many signs pointing to games continuing as soon as tomorrow.
However, a question many have been asking today, is how will the KHL honour the lives of those lost?
Ceremonies are being held in Minsk, Yaroslavl, and both participating teams from today’s contest in Ufa took in a church service to pray for the men they would not describe as “opponents” and “colleagues” but rather “friends” and “family.” Dynamo Minsk has also stated that they will donate all the money from ticket sales that are not collected by those wanting refunds — which we can be safe in assuming will not be many — to the team in Yaroslavl.
As well as honouring their lost ones through the celebration of their lives, the Russian Minister of Sports has said that the Lokomotiv hockey club will continue to find a way to operate. It is unclear whether or not it is meant to be this season or in the near future.
In all likelihood, if the KHL and Yaroslavl’s management and ownership were to discuss the idea of the team continuing operations this season, it would be through a dispersal draft of sorts with each team loaning a player to Lokomotiv. Slava Malamud has stated in multiple tweets the desire of those in the KHL to get Lokomotiv back on the ice this season and went on further to say that the KHL will be inventing a method in which to allocate players to Yaroslavl.
One thing is for certain: there will be no greater honour in hockey than playing your heart out for those that lost their lives.
Thank you to Slava Malamud, Pavel Lysenkov, and Dmitry Chesnokov for their stellar reporting today and directing us all to the information.
Keep with Cycle Down Low as we try to keep you up to date on the situation in Yaroslavl and the KHL.
It’s such an awful day for the entire hockey community, as well as the families of those players, coaches, and flight staff. RIP
Huge loss for the hockey family.
With tragedy comes opportunity, players who may have been cut might realize a second chance to play pro hockey.
Exactly, Paul. For now, though, I am just glad to know that they are going to be remembered are respected the way they should be. Classy move by the other 23 teams in the league to take care of the fans in the city and honour the memory of their lost comrades.