Former NHL Centre Josef Vasicek to be remembered by Carolina Hurricanes with jersey patch -NHL Update
The National Hockey League (NHL) lost a number of former players, coaches and managerial members on September 7, 2011, as the plane carrying Russian Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) team, Yaroslavl Lokomotiv, crashed and killed nearly everyone except two
people, who also succumbed to their injuries later on.
Carolina Hurricanes were impacted on another level since they had lost their long time centre player, Josef Vasicek, who spent nearly five seasons with the franchise and left the league in 2008 to play in the KHL.
He was set to enter his fourth straight year with the Russian team but his life was cut short on the way there.
"We are deeply saddened that Josef is no longer with us, and feel that it is important to remember and honor his life", said Caroline Hurricanes GM, Jim Rutherford. "A part of both of our teams that reached the Stanley Cup Final, he played an important role
in helping us establish our footing as a franchise in North Carolina. Beyond that, he was respected and well-liked by all, and we continue to hear from fans whose lives Josef touched. He is greatly missed".
In addition, Carolina GM Rutherford announced that his team will be paying homage to Vasicek by wearing a patch on their jersey’s to honour the former player for his time spent and contributions to the team.
Along with that, Carolina will be also pay tribute to the former 91st overall draft pick during round-four of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft before the starting of their first home game on October 7.
Being in an emotional moment, GM Rutherford had trouble keeping his sentiments in.
“Hurricanes feel that it is important to remember and honour his life", GM Rutherford added.
Five days following the crash, Vasicek would have been celebrating his 31st birthday, but who could tell that his life would be cut short three years after playing his last season in the NHL with New York Islanders.
For fans and loved ones, it will certainly be an emotional moment and also a proud one as an NHL favourite will be remembered by Carolina Hurricanes in their home stadium.
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