Rangers Prospect Alexei Cherepanov Dies

According to reports out of Russia that have been confirmed for me by Dmitry Chesnokov of Sovetsky Sport, New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov, currently playing for Avangard Omsk in the Kontinental Hockey League, has died.

Sports Deaths in 2008

Alexei Cherepanov, Oct. 13: A 2007 first-round pick of the New York Rangers, Cherepanov collapsed during the third period of a game in Russia and died soon after.

Gregory Shamus, Getty Images

Alexei Prokurorov, Oct. 10: The former gold medalist in the 30-kilometer freestyle at the 1988 Calgary Games dies after being hit by a car crossing the street.

Oliver Multhau, AFP / Getty Images

George Kissell, Oct. 7: A longtime member of the St. Louis Cardinals organization, Kissell died from injuries suffered in a traffic accident. He had been with the Cardinals since 1940, including a six-year stint as a major league coach.

James A. Finley, AP

Eddie Brinkman, Sept. 30: The shortstop, who played 15 years in the majors and set a league record for his position with 72 straight errorless games, dies at 66. The cause of death is unknown.

MLB Photos / Getty Images

Milt Davis, Sept. 29: The former All-Pro cornerback, who won two championships with the Colts in the 1950s, dies of cancer at 79.

Paul Newman, Sept. 26: Actor and race car driver Paul Newman passes away at the age of 83. Newman formed the Newman/Haas racing team and also was part of the team that won the 24-hour Daytona endurance race in 1995.

Ron Galella, WIre Image

Mickey Vernon, Sept. 24: The seven-time All-Star and two-time AL batting champ, pictured here in 1946 with Dom DiMaggio, left, and Ted Williams, right, passed away one week after suffering a stroke.

Dick Lynch, Sept. 24: The former Giants star was the team's radio analyst from 1968 until last season.

NFL Photos, Getty Images

Wally Hilgenberg, Sept. 23: The former NFL linebacker was a key member of the Vikings' defense in the 1970s that helped lead Minnesota to four Super Bowl appearances.

Ned Harkness, Sept. 19: A three-time NCAA hockey championship coach, and one-time coach of the Detroit Red Wings, Harkness died on his 89th birthday from the after-effects of a stroke.

Rensselaer

Piecing together multiple translations with Chesnokov's help, I've been able to confirm the following sequence of events:

In the 18th minute of the third period of Avangard Omsk's game against Chekhov Vityaz, Cherepanov collided with Jaromir Jagr during a line change. Once Cherepanov got to the bench, he collapsed, and team doctors determined that his heart had stopped and immediately began attempts to revive him.

Cherepanov was then transported to an unnamed hospital in Moscow where doctors attempted to revive him for about an hour before he was declared dead of cardiac arrest at 22:55 local time/2:55 p.m. U.S. EDT.

The first English language report that I saw came from the hockey blog Alex Ovetjkin by way of Japers' Rink. Apparently, Russian hockey fans are already asking why a portable defibrillator like the one that saved the life of Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer wasn't available to help save Cherepanov.

The Rangers have issued the following statement:

"We are extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Alexei," said Sather. "On behalf of the New York Rangers organization, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to his family. Alexei was an intelligent, energetic young man, with tremendous talent and an extremely bright future."

Our condolences to Cherepanov's family and friends.