Lamoriello statement on Lokomotiv plane crash
Wednesday, 09.07.2011 / 12:13 PM
/ News
New Jersey Devils
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Devils President/CEO/GM Lou Lamoriello on Wednesday released a statement regarding the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl plane crash:
"Nothing could prepare the hockey community for the devastating news it received today. The tragic plane crash involving Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League has left all of us beyond words.
I had the pleasure of knowing several members of the team, plus the entire coaching staff. In particular, Alexander Vasyunov, who played for us last season, was an outstanding young man and a gifted athlete. Captain Karel Rachunek skated for us in 2007-08. Both were members of the Devils family.
On behalf of the entire Devils organization, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the entire Lokomotiv club."
Vasyunov, 23, made his NHL debut last season with one goal and four assists in 18 games. The Yaroslavl native was New Jersey's second choice, 58th overall, in 2006.
Rachunek, 32, signed in New Jersey as a free agent in 2007. Drafted by Ottawa in 1997, he split 371 career games with the Senators, Rangers and Devils. The native of the Czech Republic left for the KHL in 2008, spending two seasons with Dynamo Moscow before joining Lokomotiv last season.
"Nothing could prepare the hockey community for the devastating news it received today. The tragic plane crash involving Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League has left all of us beyond words.
I had the pleasure of knowing several members of the team, plus the entire coaching staff. In particular, Alexander Vasyunov, who played for us last season, was an outstanding young man and a gifted athlete. Captain Karel Rachunek skated for us in 2007-08. Both were members of the Devils family.
On behalf of the entire Devils organization, our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of the entire Lokomotiv club."
Vasyunov, 23, made his NHL debut last season with one goal and four assists in 18 games. The Yaroslavl native was New Jersey's second choice, 58th overall, in 2006.
Rachunek, 32, signed in New Jersey as a free agent in 2007. Drafted by Ottawa in 1997, he split 371 career games with the Senators, Rangers and Devils. The native of the Czech Republic left for the KHL in 2008, spending two seasons with Dynamo Moscow before joining Lokomotiv last season.
