Two Former New Jersey Devils, New York Islander Die In Russian Plane Crash

Alexander Vasyunov, who played 18 games for the New Jersey Devils last season, has been named as one of 43 people that were killed in a plane crash in Russia Wednesday. Vasyunov, 23, tallied one goal and four assists for the Devils, who selected the left winger in the second round of the 2006 NHL Draft.

According to reports:

Vasyunov left the Devils in the offseason to sign with Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). The KHL team was flying to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, to take on Dimamo Minsk on Thursdsay night in their season opener. But the plane carrying the team crashed into a river bank while taking off in western Russia, killing at least 43 and leaving two others injured, officials said, according to the Associated Press.

Other confirmed deaths are Karel Rachunek, also a former Devil, and Josef Wasicek, a former New York Islander.

"I don't think anybody can prepare for something like this," New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "It's just devastating news. Words can't express my personal feelings."

"I can't say enough about him as a young man, he certainly had talent. His whole career was in front of him."