Alexei Cherepanov Passed Away During KHL Game

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New York Ranger prospect Alexei Cherepanov collapsed on the bench at or near the end of Omsk’s Kontinental Hockey League game and died a short time later.

Omsk head coach, Wayne Fleming said Cherepanov collapsed on the bench during the third period of the game and did not see anything that happened on the ice that may have contributed to it.

Fleming also said medical authorities tryed to get Cherepanov’s heart beating again after it had stopped.

No further details are available at this point.

“He was a great kid,” Cherepanov’s agent, Jay Grossman told TSN. “He had a great smile and was an outstanding player with a great future on and off the ice. It’s both shocking and devestating news for all of us. “

Cherepanov was drafted by the Rangers in the 1st round, 17th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

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Only 19 years old.. Absolutely devastating, he had such a bright future ahead of him. Very sad, thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

RIP

Theres reports that during a line change Jagr’s elbow hit Alexei in the chest and shortly after he collapsed. TSN is reporting that the ambulance that is at all games, left during the 3rd period before the incident occurred. It had to be called back and took roughly 15-20 mins. Theres also a question of whether or not the arena had a working defibrillator.