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WARNING: This video of New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov unconscious on the Avangard Omsk bench is stunning, disturbing and, when team officials carry Cherepanov away without a stretcher, rather repulsive. Please understand that before viewing:

As we cautioned when the story broke, the distance between North American news sources and this story, not to mention the language barrier inherent in covering the KHL, made the details speculative and erratic.

Two sources initially reported that Cherepanov had collided with Jaromir Jagr on the ice, and that it may have been the catalyst for his eventual tragedy. That angle was picked up by general sports sites like Deadspin and Sports by Brooks, and hockey sites like NHL FanHouse.

Hours later, new reporting on the incident has indicated that there was no collision with Jagr, according to Stu Hackel and Jeff Z. Klein of the New York Times' Slap Shot blog, via Russia's Sport-Express.

Along with Slap Shot's superb rundown of Russian news sources, Larry Brooks of the New York Post also presented a brief timeline of Cherepanov's final moments; from the game against Vityav Chekhov to the hospital:

Cherepanov, who had scored a goal in the game, collapsed while sitting beside former Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr after returning to the bench following what had been a routine shift with No. 68.

The ambulance that had been stationed at the rink had left the building before the game's conclusion. Though reports from Russia vary, if not conflict, it is believed that doctors were able to temporarily revive Cherepanov during a 45-minute wait for an ambulance to return to the rink.

Jay Grossman, Cherepanov's agent, said he had been told doctors were able to detect brain activity upon reaching a hospital. The young man, however, soon passed away.

Grossman and Omsk coach Wayne Fleming have been the primary sources for much of the North American reaction to this story, like on TSN. Newsday's Steve Steve Zipay relayed word tonight from Jagr himself:

Jaromir Jagr and Alexei Cherepanov had just finished a shift in Omsk on Monday night, had a 2 on 1 and didn't score and were talking on the bench when the 19-year-old collapsed, according to Rangers executive John Rosasco.

Jagr said the doctors were good and that there didn't appear to be an issue with the medical treatment, except for the ambulance's late arrival, Rosasco said.

The narrative of Cherepanov's tragedy is beginning to take shape thanks to them and others, but clearly much detail has yet to firmly established as fact. There is consensus that he died of cardiac arrest; its cause doesn't at the moment appear to be an on-ice incident, but its catalyst clearly remains a mystery.

Meanwhile, tributes and Cherepanov news continues to spread across the Web:

• YouTube's Jefflered claims to have the Russian prospect's final shift in the KHL captured.

• Rangers Rants has more on what would have been Cherepanov's future in the NHL.

• Avangard Omsk has given a statement on his death.

• Finally, HLOG has a touching tribute to Cherepanov.

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80 Comments

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  1. Wrap Around Curl
    1. Posted by Wrap Around Curl Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:49 pm EDT

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    That video is heartbreaking. I turned it on for a few seconds and then turned it off. It should be taken down. But that is just me.
  2. Del City
    2. Posted by Del City Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:49 pm EDT

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    This is really sad to watch. My prayers go out to his family.
  3. tehnewsguy
    3. Posted by tehnewsguy Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:59 pm EDT

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    It's both unfortunate and tragic that he died way before his time. Perhaps he had a genetic condition with a weak or enlarged heart. or maybe his body lost too many electrolytes from sweating a lot and he failed to replace them in time.
  4. dayne62
    4. Posted by dayne62 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    This is really sad, God bless . R.I.P Alexie
  5. dayne62
    5. Posted by dayne62 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:38 pm EDT

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    Alexei
  6. 5 4 fighting
    6. Posted by 5 4 fighting Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:01 pm EDT

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    I just can't believe that the ambulance left before the end of the game. How dumb-costing him his life,not just the speedier trip but the equipment on that ambulance that could have saved the young man. God bless
  7. Bubbabanjo
    7. Posted by Bubbabanjo Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:05 pm EDT

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    That poor kid. That is the risk playing over there. The people are cool. Cities are beautiful. But its far easier to meet your maker if you get hurt over there.
    Wyshynski that poor kid................it stinks!
  8. Daniel L
    8. Posted by Daniel L Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    This is absolutely tragic. This young man had such a bright future. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
  9. big audio
    9. Posted by big audio Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:04 pm EDT

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    Absolutely tragic. Mere words cannot describe the sadness.
  10. legendofvinnyt
    10. Posted by legendofvinnyt Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:49 pm EDT

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    I think 5 4 fighting and I are wondering the same thing... Was the training staff carrying Cherepanov because the stretchers left with the ambulance?
    Watching Jagr was the most painful part for me. You can see in his body language just how helpless he felt at that moment.
    Lotta prayers tonight, that's for sure.
  11. carbo141414
    11. Posted by carbo141414 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:18 pm EDT

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    Its always sad to see a life cut short. Especially when it may have been prevented. Im sure Jiri Fischer knows what Im talking about
    It just shows all those petrodollars couldnt even buy a stretcher for the rink. What does that tell you about the new Russia? Zero taxes? Hmmmm.
  12. Kojo
    12. Posted by Kojo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    The KHL has a lot of work to do, this is unacceptable. Entertaining as it is, they need to get their priorities straight.
    R.I.P. Alexei, you were gonna be big one day.
  13. MichaelA
    13. Posted by MichaelA Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

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    Only 19 years old. [profane].
    Rest in peace Alexei.
  14. luvstherangers23
    14. Posted by luvstherangers23 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:00 pm EDT

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    The tardo who claims to have the video of his last shift, that's not his last shift. He was on the ice with Jagr on his last shift, they went in on a 2 on 1 and didn't score and went back to the bench. The video he has doesn't have Jagr on the ice at all.
    RIP Cherry, what a tragic loss.
  15. MichaelA
    15. Posted by MichaelA Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:42 pm EDT

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    Kojo,
    You don't know the situation. So don't blast the KHL. When your time comes, it comes.
  16. knucklehead
    16. Posted by knucklehead Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:37 pm EDT

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    Times like these, we all come together....that's the way it's suppose to be.
  17. graig
    17. Posted by graig Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:12 pm EDT

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    I cant' believe anyone would want to play for that third rate league. The KHL comon, I can't believe Radulov would ever leave the NHL so that garbage. This is a total shame that probably could have been prevented with proper care.
  18. UncleBobbyB
    18. Posted by UncleBobbyB Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:25 pm EDT

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    Oy, Ripple; maybe when YOUR time comes it's okay if the ambulance leaves the rink, but personally, I want some f*king medical care, thanks very much. And a stretcher would be nice.
    But yeah, no one really knows the situation outside of what they, you know, saw with their own eyes. Great call.
  19. lobotomyzd
    19. Posted by lobotomyzd Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:51 pm EDT

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    They had a swarm of doctors and a difribulator on the bench during the Jiri Fischer incident.
  20. habs1rule
    20. Posted by habs1rule Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:15 pm EDT

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    First, my condolances to Alexi family and the Rangers, secondly, I read Russian, and that was sickening to view that video, with the absolute lack of on site care, not even a stretcher. Legally, his family should sue. Heart breaking.
  21. Rumpelstilzchen
    21. Posted by Rumpelstilzchen Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:32 pm EDT

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    KHL's bush league.
  22. Kojo
    22. Posted by Kojo Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    ripple27,
    I ain't blasting the KHL, I've been watching it and when it was the RSL for almost three years now. I know what's up, thank you very much.
  23. Klee
    23. Posted by Klee Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:37 pm EDT

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    Tragic, and while I'm no doctor, it seems that there was no one or no resources to effect any kind of time-critical trauma care at the scene.
    You are safer playing in a First-World country.
  24. Klee
    24. Posted by Klee Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:37 pm EDT

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    Tragic, and while I'm no doctor, it seems that there was no one or no resources to effect any kind of time-critical trauma care at the scene.
    You are safer playing in a First-World country.
  25. eyebleaf
    25. Posted by eyebleaf Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

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    Absolutely unbelievable that there was no stretcher...
    RIP Cherepanov...

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