I read this afternoon about the death of Rangers draft pick Alexei Cherepanov. His heart failed while he was sitting on the Avangard Omsk bench.

It immediately brought to mind that horrible game in 2005 when Detroit Red Wing defenceman Jiri Fischer collapsed on the bench. Fischer’s life was saved due to medical staff being available, and also because of a portable defibrillator. It’s since become league mandated that all teams have one within reach of the bench, and Fischer has become an advocate of having them available at all sporting events. The KHL will hopefully install a similar rule after this tragedy.

It’s a terrible loss.

Jiri Fischer will never be able to have a career in the NHL again, but he is leading a fulfilling life as the Director of Player Development for the Red Wings after playing several years as a top 4 defenceman. Cherepanov was not as lucky.

James Duthie has an insightful blog post on the subject.

Puck Daddy also has further details.

Labels: Jiri Fischer, New York Rangers