Team Russia pauses to remember Lokomotiv Yaroslavl tragedy at practice
As Team Russia prepares for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, a moment of silence was taken Wednesday to remember the tragic plane crash that took the lives of 44 people - including 26 players, three coaches, and eight staff members from KHL club Lokomotiv Yaroslavl - on Sept. 7, 2011.
Team Russia holds a moment of silence to honor those lost in Lokomotiv Yaroslavl crash 5 years ago. pic.twitter.com/hyaXPosWbE
— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) September 7, 2016
The crash took place on the opening day of the 2011-12 KHL season, and as Lokomotiv - favored to win the league championship that year - was en route to Belarus for their opening game.
IIHF president Rene Fasel also offered the following statement:
The plane crash in Yaroslavl took so many people from our hockey family. We will never forget this tragedy, despite the passing of the years.
The entire hockey world remembers and mourns for the whole team. Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives and with all the people they left behind. We wish them strength on this day.
No KHL games are scheduled on Sept. 7 in order to remember those lost in the crash.