I was about to continue the pregame post I had saved earlier of tonight's game against Vancouver until I saw the headline on TSN's website. Reports are that New York Rangers top prospect Alexei Cherepanov collapsed on the bench near the end of the third period in tonight's game with his Russian team, Omsk. He died shortly thereafter in the hospital.
" 'He was a great kid,' Cherepanov's agent, Jay Grossman told TSN. 'He had a great smile and was an outstanding player with a great future on and off the ice. It's both shocking and devastating news for all of us. ' "
I was shocked last summer when Cherepanov dropped to the Rangers at 17th overall. All scouts had him tabbed as top-five level talent. I personally wanted the Caps to take him with the 5th pick.
This is a very sad day for hockey. He would have been a great player for the Rangers and extremely fun to watch in the NHL. Wish all the best to his family and his teammates. He was 19.
