Sergei Gonchar discusses Alexei Cherepanov's passing

by FrankD on Oct 15, 2008 3:20 PM EDT in News Comment 5 comments

Alexei_cherepanov_medium

Alexei Cherepanov, New York Rangers' 17th overall pick in 2007 Draft

This one kinda ties in with JasonB's post regarding the passing of New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov. Again, this hardly pertains to the Penguins, but in the grand scheme of the sport it is definitely a depressing moment.

"I'm concerned about what kind of doctors they have there. As a hockey player, at least what you hope for is that they check on everything. I was hoping it was the same back home, and that all the players coming into camp were safe. But that seems like it's not the case."

Sergei Gonchar
The Tribune-Review

This isn't the first time a heart condition has come to the forefront in hockey. Just this season we saw NHL draftee David Carle, brother to San Jose Sharks' Matt Carle, find out before the draft that he had a heart condition that required his immediate withdrawal from hockey. The Tampa Bay Lightning took him in the seventh round of the draft in what will no doubt go down as a prime time move in efforts to express the love of the game on all levels, regardless of his condition.

Teppo Numminen discovered a heart condition in 2006 that led to a huge controversy with the NHLPA. The Sabres filed to sue Numminen claiming he knew of the condition before signing a contract with the team, while Numminen filed a grievance with the union insisting the heart condition was hockey related. In the end, Numminen signed on with the Sabres for a discounted salary after spending 6 1/2 months in recovery from open heart surgery.

I think Cherepanov's case is just a depressing case that makes him a victim of his surroundings. Had he been playing in the NHL, would he have been saved? Why did the ambulance leave the premises early? Why didn't the defribulator work properly? These are all questions that obviously won't alter the end result, but may perhaps at least prevent it from happening again. Even Gonchar has his reservations about the medical staff in Russia, his home country. But if I'm not mistaken, the NHL draft combine performs a series of tests on the draftees as well to see if they are fit to perform in the NHL.

I'm no medical expert, but is it possible the NHL could've prevented this tragedy back in April?

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Don’t forget about Jiri Fischer – he collapsed on the bench with a heart problem during an NHL game in 2005 and was resuscitated with CPR and defibrillators. I just cannot believe that in a game like hockey, where there can be severe injuries (broken bones like Roberts’ leg, or a cut like Zednick last year) that there was no ambulance around, and that they didn’t have the correct/working medical equipment.

However, if the NHL identified Carle’s condition during the combine I can only assume that they perform the same tests on all players, including Cherepanov. So – I’m thinking that either this condition is not one that is easily identified by their tests, or something was missed.

Sadly, I think this death could have been preventable, and I think its so sad because he was only 19 and he had such a promising future ahead of him.

by Dayna on Oct 15, 2008 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree. It’s sad to think they missed it. One would hope they don’t fail to consider heart conditions in even young guys. I did get a chance to watch Alexei play in the world junior last season, so I can at least say the kid was fast as hell and in good time would’ve easily matured to Jagr-status. Just a shame we’ll have to stick with the ‘what could’ve been.’

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Oct 15, 2008 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is sad news. I read he was breaking Bure’s records and was on track to really have a promising career. I didn’t know much about him before this happened, but it’s still sad.

by PensFanJohn on Oct 15, 2008 6:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

but is it possible the NHL could’ve prevented this tragedy back in April?

It’s possible, but it depends what condition Cherepanov had. It’s quite likely it was something very, very difficult to detect beforehand.

Think of how many tests Fischer would have went through before he collapsed, and there was never any preexisting condition known of in his case.

by James Mirtle on Oct 15, 2008 9:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Very true. Like I said, no medical expert here. And I know I didn’t say it before, but I’ll say it here – I’m kinda pissed that the stories coming out of Russia over the first 12-24 hrs went from ridiculous (colliding with Jagr, who isn’t even on his line) to the cause of the death being a hit against the boards earlier. I know sometimes things get lost in translation, but it just seems like everyone had their own rumor swirling around the incident.

FrankD from Pensburgh.com

by FrankD on Oct 15, 2008 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs