3 with ties to Red Wings die in Russian jet crash

WKAR Public Media

Published September 7, 2011 at 5:25 PM EDT

By AP

DETROIT –

Officials say three men who have ties to the Detroit Red Wings organization are among at least 43 people killed when a Russian jet carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl hockey team crashed.

Among the dead are Lokomotiv coach Brad McCrimmon, who played and coached with the Red Wings; former Detroit defenseman Ruslan Salei; and Swedish goalie and Wings prospect Stefan Liv.

It's being called one of the worst plane crashes ever involving a sports team. The International Ice Hockey Federation says 27 players on the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team were killed Wednesday, along with two coaches and seven club officials.

McCrimmon was a Detroit assistant coach for the past three seasons. He was a defenseman who played 18 seasons in the NHL, including three with Detroit in the 1990s.

SUSTAIN what matters. BUILD what’s next.

With federal funding eliminated, WKAR relies more than ever on community support to sustain essential services that remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan. Your support helps shape what comes next for public media in our region. The best way to support WKAR is by becoming a sustaining member today or by upgrading your current gift. Support WKAR TV Here | Support WKAR Radio Here.