Entire KHL Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Hockey Team Killed In Russian Plane Crash - 9/7/11

For hockey fans, the beginning of a new season is always a joyous time, but with so much sadness infusing the sport this summer, it seems as if it will be hard to muster up the usual enthusiasm. And Wednesday's news out of Russia that the plane carrying the KHL team Yaroslavl Lokomotiv has crashed, killing almost all of the 45 people on board, is unquestionably the worst news of all.

In the words of Rene Fasel, president of the International Ice Hockey Federation, it is "the darkest day in the history of our sport."

Following the earlier body blows caused by the deaths of Derek Boogaard, Rick Rypien and Wade Belak, and the various controversies surrounding them all focusing on depression and addiction, Wednesday's news feels like a staggering punch.

The KHL is considered the top professional hockey league in Europe and second only to the NHL in the caliber of play and quality of talent. Lokomotiv's roster was filled with top players from a number of countries, including Russia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Belarus and Sweden.

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