Disaster in Russia...

The plane carrying the KHL hockey team, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, has crashed into the Volga river shortly after takeoff from Yaroslavl on it's way to Minsk, Belarus where the Lokomotiv where scheduled to open the new KHL season on thursday by playing the Dinamo Minsk.
Of the 45 people on board, 37 passengers and 8 crew, only 2 survived. One crew member and player Alexander Galimov.

Among the roster of the Lokomotive are former NHL'ers Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei, New Jersey draft pick Alexander Vasyunov, who played 18 games in the NHL last season. As well as international stars like Swedish goalie Stefan Liv, and Czech stars Josef Vaicek and Jan Marek.

Lokomotiv Yaroslavl was coached by Canadian and long time NHL defenceman, Brad McCrimmon.

Yaroslav was an elite team in the KHL, having captured championships in 1997, 2002, 2003, and finished third last season.

An extremely sad and tragic day in pro sports.....

EDIT: as more details become available, it appears that initial survivor, Alexander Galimov, succombed to his injuries and has died. Alexander was burned on over 90% of his body.