KHL Bans Five

The KHL has banned five team executives and doctors, four indefinitely, for their roles in the death of Alexei Cherepanov. Cherepanov, the clear cut #1 Ranger prospect and future top 6 winger, fell to the Rangers at #17 in the 2007 draft. The Rangers were hoping that a transfer agreement between the KHL and NHL could be reached by next year so they could bring Cherepanov over for the 2009-2010 season.

It has been made clear that Cherepanov, who was 19, suffered from a chronic heart problem. In the article by ESPN, the Avengard Omsk doctors knew about Alexei’s heart condition, but did not know the severity, and tried to treat it themselves, hence the “synthetic-doping”.

This is just one step in I guess what can be called justice for the Cherepanov family. Of the 5 banned, the former president and GM of the Omsk was included. This is a horrible stain on the KHL, which was looking for credibility to compete with the NHL.

Cherepanov was 19 years old, and because some team doctor thought he was a cardiologist, he’s dead. It’s horrible, and there should be criminal charges brought up.