Crash Could Make Hockey Players Reconsider Russia, Agents Say
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The Kontinental Hockey League could be less attractive to players now in North America after a plane crash this week that killed most of the squad of three-time Russian champion Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, sports agents said.
Travel safety will be an issue for players considering joining the KHL, which has become a rival to the National Hockey League. Only two of the 45 people on Lokomotiv’s plane survived the crash about 300 kilometers (185 miles) northwest of Moscow two days ago. The coach, Canadian Brad McCrimmon, and ex-NHL players Pavol Demitra and Ruslan Salei were among the dead.