Two former St. Louis Blues among victims of Russian plane crash

ST. LOUIS, MO (ST. LOUIS PUBLIC RADIO) - Two former players for the St. Louis Blues were killed Wednesday morning when a Russian passenger jet crashed just after take-off.

The plane was carrying members of a Russian professional hockey team, including player Pavol Demitra and assistant coach Igor Korolev.

They were traveling to the capital of Belarus for the first game of a new Russian professional league.

Demitra came to the Blues in 1996 and was consistently one of the team’s top scorers. He made three All-Star teams wearing the Blue Note and won the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanship in 2000.

Korolev was a second-round pick for the Blues in 1992 and stayed with the team for two seasons. He turned 41 the day before the crash.

In a statement, team president John Davidson called the two "incredibly passionate and dedicated players" whose influence was felt both on the ice and in the St. Louis community.

Rachel Lippmann, St. Louis Public Radio

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