Rangers prospect Cherepanov, 19, dies during game

New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov died during a game in his native Russia on Monday night,October13,2008. He was 19.
Cherepanov suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the bench during Avangard Omsk’s game against Vityav Chekhov.
TSN of Canada reported that medical officials attempted to get Cherepanov’s heart beating again. According to the web site, the ambulance that is normally at all games had already departed and had to be called back to the arena. The report stated that it took between “15 and 20 minutes” to transport Cherepanov from the arena to the hospital.New York general manager Glen Sather addressed the tragedy in a statement released by the team.
“We are extremely saddened by the tragic passing of Alexei,” Sather said. “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.”
“The NHLPA is saddened to learn of the passing of Alexei Cherepanov,” NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly said in a statement. “Alexei was a tremendous young man and a highly-skilled hockey player whose promising career had no limits. His unexpected passing at such a young age is a great loss for the entire hockey community.”