New York Rangers Players React and Mourn After Yaroslavl Lokomotiv Tragedy

The tragedy in Russia only draws more attention to what has been a tragic and horrible summer for hockey, which has seen the loss of NHLers Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak.

Now the NHL continues to weep for all those lost in the plane crash that carried KHL team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv. The plane did not gain sufficient lift and crashed 1.5 miles from the runway.

On the roster of the team were several former NHL players. Some of the recent NHL players who passed away in this tragedy were Pavol Demitra, Josef Vasicek, Karl Rachunek, Ruslan Selei, Karlis Skrastins and Alexander Vasyunov. 

The team's bench boss was Brad McCrimmon, who was a journeyman in the NHL but found success when he won a Stanley Cup with Calgary.

While this tragedy affected many in the NHL, the New York Rangers felt it more than most. Artem Anisimov, a native of Yaroslavl, knew almost every player on the roster as he grew up with many of the players. His childhood best friend up to this very day was Alexander Vasyunov.

Anisimov had this to say about the tragedy.

""I knew a lot of guys on that team, we had gone to school together in Yaroslavl, grown up together," Anisimov explained at the MSG Training Center Wednesday morning.

 "When I heard the news I felt like this can't happen. I heard on the news then received texts (from home) about a plane crash. I feel sick after. It's tragic."

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Marian Gaborik was another player greatly affected by this tragedy. He already lost one best friend this summer when Derek Boogaard tragically passed away. He lost another best friend today as Pavel Demitra died in the tragedy.

Gaborik left the Rangers' skate early today after receiving the news. The soft spoken Gaborik, who rarely tweets, took to Twitter to make a statement (@MGaborik10): "Demo, u will always b in my heart. U were one of my best friends on and off the ice. U will be greatly missed by all of us. My condolences..."

In addition to these recent NHL players, the Rangers lost a player who was one of the first Russian-born players to win the Stanley Cup. General Manager Glen Sather released this statement on behalf of the New York Rangers.

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The New York Rangers organization is greatly saddened after learning of today's tragedy. Words cannot begin to express the magnitude of devastation for such unimaginable loss.

"Two Rangers alumni and one former draft pick perished in the accident. Alexander Karpovtsev helped to bring a Stanley Cup Championship to New York in 1994.

Karel Rachunek played two seasons in New York, and Jan Marek was a former draft pick. Our sincerest condolences go out to the families of these players, and the families of all those lost today.

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Henrik Lundqvist and prospect Carl Hagelin also lost a brother of theirs. Stefan Liv, a Swedish goalie prospect and member of the Swedish National Team that won a Gold Medal at the Turin Olympics in 2006, also perished in the crash. Henrik Lundqvist was in total shock and was devastated when he heard the news.

Carl Hagelin tweeted the following: "Another tragical day for the world of hockey. My thoughts and prayers goes out to Stefan Liv and and all the other players/staff #RIP."

Today was another terrible day for hockey. It is the biggest tragedy in sports history. An entire team may be gone, but they will not be forgotten.

I suggest paying your respects by remembering the players, their friends and their families in your thoughts and prayers.

Tom Urtz is an NHL Featured Columnist, a New York Rangers Featured Columnist, a WWE Featured Columnist and a lifelong sports fanatic.

Tom can be found on Twitter by clicking the button below.