Ice hockey icon Pavol Demitra has been killed in a plane crash that also claimed the lives of his Russian teammates.
The former Los Angeles Kings star and three-time National Hockey League All-Star has been named among the players killed in the tragedy on Wednesday (07Sep11).
The plane, which was carrying members of the Kontinental Hockey League team Lokomotiv, crashed on the banks of the Volga River shortly after take-off from an airport in Yaroslav. The team was flying to Belarus for a game against Dinamo Minsk.
A statement from the L.A. Kings organisation reads, "The Los Angeles Kings organisation is deeply saddened with the tragic news of this morning's plane crash in Russia that was carrying the members of the Khl's Lokomotiv organisation, including former Kings forward Pavol Demitra, former Kings prospect Jan Marek and many other members of the Nhl family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family and friends of those affected by this terrible occurrence."
A crew member and passenger Alexander Galimov are the only survivors, according to reports. Both are in critical condition.
Also among the dead are Czech players Josef Vasicek and Karel Rachunek, Latvian star Karlis Skrastins and the team's coach Brad MCCrimmon.
Officials are still investigating the cause of the crash.