Remembering Alexei Cherepanov

October 31, 2008   ·   Derek Felix   ·   Jump to comments

A 19 year-old kid is dead now for more than three weeks and it’s still hard to believe that Alexei Cherepanov is no longer with us.

Since the former Rangers’ 2007 first round pick was buried, the Continental Hockey League (KHL) has received plenty of deserved criticism for not having a working defibrillator or ambulance at the venue which could’ve prevented disaster.

It’s since come out that Cherepanov suffered from chronic ischemia- a medical condition where not enough blood gets to the heart or other organs. It’s still uncertain how such a serious health issue could’ve gone undetected.

While all this has been discovered, a top Russian military official said that he shouldn’t have been playing hockey and instead serving mandatory military service for Russia’s Railway Troops. Col. Vladimir Karpenko claims that 19 other players who suited up for Avangard Omsk did so illegally.

I realize that this is part of the harsh reality of growing up in Russia. But what’s the point of even making this announcement after the fact when Cherepanov is dead? It just reeks. It’s almost like they’re trying to cover themselves.

This article is so poorly timed, it’s maddening. We really don’t need to know this after the fact. If they want to continue investigating his death, fine. They should. If they want to do the proper thing and reward Cherepanov’s family with millions in dollars to help ease pain and suffering for the loss of their son, good cause that’s what should be happening.

I just don’t believe there was any need for the Russian military service to bring this to light. If he had a heart condition, there’s no way he could’ve served regardless. He would’ve been medically excused.

I just wish this whole situation would just vanish into thin air. It still hurts to read about it.

Edit: I was just watching some videos. I’ve watched before and always was amazed at how unique a talent Cherepanov was. Hence the title change honoring the skills he had. I really believe he would’ve been a star here. The skating was similar to Pavel Bure and I don’t like comparisons but some of his finishing was too. It’s impossible to know what he could have been.

I haven’t watched his final shift. I refuse to. It’s just too much. There are videos of course on YouTube. I just would rather not see it.

Anyway, being that it’s Halloween and all, I wanted to try to finish this with something of Cherepanov in much happier moments. I should’ve put something up a while back but what the hey? I think these two cool videos are how he should be most remembered. I think all hockey fans would agree on that.

Gone but NEVER forgotten!

R.I.P. Alexei Cherepanov (1989-2008)