It didn’t take Capitals owner Ted Leonsis long to say exactly what was on everyone’s mind after the crash of a Russian jet carrying the KHL’s Lokomotiv Yaroslavl killed at least 43 people. “Worst nightmare” was how Leonsis titled a post on his blog, Ted’s Take, rekindling thoughts of similar tragedies that affected the Manchester United soccer team in 1958 and the Marshall football team in 1970.
“I’m in shock!!!!!R.I.P….,” tweeted Alex Ovechkin, who played in the 2005 world junior championships with Alexander Galimov, who survived the initial crash but was gravely injured.
Three Lokomotiv players were world juniors teammates with Capitals prospect Stanislav Galiev, and it is also the team that owns the rights to former Capitals goalie Simeon Varlamov.
“A plane goes down with a team. What a tragedy. Lives are lost,” Leonsis said. “This is such sad news, and our prayers go out to these players and their families. A sad day for the KHL.”
Sad, indeed.
– Craig Stouffer
