Alexei Cherepanov

Alexei Andreyevich Cherepanov (Алексей Андреевич Черепанов; 15 January 1989 – 13 October 2008) was a Russian professional ice hockey winger who played for Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

Previously, Cherepanov had played for Avangard's lower-level teams, and then for the senior men's team in the Russian Super League.

He made his debut for the team in the Russian third division during the 2005–06 season, appearing in five games and scoring two goals.

During the 2006–07 season, Cherepanov split time between Avangard's club in the Russian Superleague (RSL) and the Russian third division.

While playing with the top-level club, Cherepanov scored 18 goals and added 11 assists in 46 games.

His 18 goals set a RSL record for players his age, and exceeded the production of his Russian predecessors, Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin, when they were at the same level.

For his play the previous season, Cherepanov was named RSL Newcomer of the Year.

Cherepanov was selected in the first round (17th overall) of the 2007 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft by the New York Rangers, although he never played professional hockey in North America.

Cherepanov represented Russia in international play, and played in several tournaments at the junior level.

He won a gold medal at the 2007 World Under-18 Championships.

While playing at the Under-20 level, Cherepanov won silver and bronze medals in 2007 and 2008.

Cherepanov was eligible for the 2007 National Hockey League (NHL) Entry Draft after the 2006–07 season.

Throughout most of the season leading up to the draft, Cherepanov was the top ranked prospect in Europe.

Prior to the draft, Cherepanov attended the NHL's Scouting Combine, allowing club's to evaluate his physical attributes and schedule interviews, if they needed additional information prior to his selection.

Those attending the combine were struck by Cherepanov's apparent physical immaturity, pointing out his low number of bench press repetitions, and his physique.

His performance during the interview portion of the event was more impressive, with team personnel impressed with his maturity and good attitude.

Cherepanov attended the Rangers' prospect camp shortly after he was drafted in 2007.

At the start of the 2007–08 season, Cherepanov returned to Avangard playing in 46 games and scoring 15 goals, this time in the newly created Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

He made his international debut at under-20 level in 2007, at the tournament in Sweden.

Cherepanov and the Russian team finished with the silver medal after losing to Canada in the gold medal game.

Cherepanov was named the tournament's Best Forward and also secured a spot on the tournament All-Star Team.

He scored five goals and added three assists to finish with eight points.

He was also selected by his coaches as one of Russia's three best players for the tournament.

During a KHL game in October 2008, Cherepanov collapsed on the bench near the end of the game, and could not be resuscitated.

He was pronounced dead later that day in hospital at age 19.

His cause of death was attributed to heart failure, although there were varying reports as to the specific nature of his underlying medical condition.

After his death, the KHL launched an investigation into the emergency response provided by the home team during the game, and also into team officials and physicians for their treatment and management of Cherepanov's health during his career.

Avangard retired Cherepanov's #7 jersey after his death, and the KHL renamed its Rookie of the Year trophy to the Alexei Cherepanov Trophy.

Cherepanov was born in Siberia, and played minor hockey for the Motor Barnaul organization.

The remote location of his youth hockey play made Cherepanov an unknown quantity until he left the region to join the Avangard Omsk organization.

Entering the 2008–09 KHL season, Cherepanov had one year remaining on his contract with Omsk.

The Rangers had been attempting to have Cherepanov released from the contract since shortly after he was drafted.

During the 2008–09 season, Cherepanov was joined on the Avangard roster by Czech forward Jaromír Jágr.

Cherepanov played 14 games with Avangard in 2008.

At the time of his death, he was second on the team in goals with seven, and fourth in points.

Cherepanov represented Russia at multiple age level tournaments during his junior hockey career.

At the draft, Cherepanov was selected by the New York Rangers in the first round of the draft, 17th overall.

Some attributed Cherepanov's lower draft selection to concerns about his availability for the NHL, considering the lack of a transfer agreement between the NHL and the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) concerning Russian players.

Analyst Pierre McGuire believed Cherepanov was a legitimate NHL prospect, stating, "He was built for the new-age NHL with his speed, his skill and his ability to make things happen offensively."

Cherepanov was excited to be selected by the Rangers, saying, "I believe that New York is the center of the United States and I'm very happy to be selected by the New York Rangers."