I’m aware this is old news, but I’m in LA, with roughly zero internet access. So you’re going to have to bear with me while I’m late on this stuff.
The investigation over the Cherepanov tragedy is continuing, as prosecutors have reopened the case for investigation. The fact that this situation has been going on for so long, and has been so public, is just disturbing. If someone is to blame, then they deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. However, just because it was a tragedy, doesn’t necessarily mean that someone is to blame. I don’t believe he was blood doping, but I don’t believe the KHL is covering this up either.
Gary Roberts has announced his retirement after 21 seasons. His career stats:
- 1,224 GP
- 438 goals
- 471 assists
- 2,560 PIMS
Say what you want about Roberts, but he was a class act who played the game right. Is he a Hall of Famer? I don’t know, I sure hope he gets in though.
Remember way back when the Rangers petitioned the NHL to receive a compensatory pick because of the death of Alexei Cherepanov? Well, the league agrees, and the Rangers will be given a 2nd round pick. The Rangers definitely could have handled this better, specifically with the timing of it all, but you had to assume that they were going to get the compensatory pick. The CBA states you get a pick if you lose a prospect to injury. This tragedy definitely qualifies, and wording will be amended to the CBA to state this.
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.
The Associated Press has the news. Tests show that the 19 year old Alexei Cherepanov had been “blood doping” for months, without further elaboration from the medical team. The official cause of death is still myocarditis, a condition were the heart doesn’t receive enough blood, and it’s unclear if and how the doping contributed to his death. (h/t Ranger Rants)
Update (12:10pm): Beyond the Blueshirts has more.
Mike Axisa writes for River Ave. Blues and can be reached here.
