Former Thrashers assistant McCrimmon dies in Russian plane crash

By Chris Vivlamore

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tragedy struck professional hockey again. This time it touches the Atlanta Thrashers organization.

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AJC Don Waddell, who served as president, general manager and coach during the Thrashers tenure in Atlanta, was heartbroken when he heard of former assistant Brad McCrimmon's death.

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Brad McCrimmon, a former Thrashers assistant coach, was among the confirmed dead on a Russian jet that crashed Wednesday. The plane was carrying members of the Lokomotiv Yaroslav hockey team of the Kontinental Hockey League. McCrimmon was named head coach of the KHL team in May after a long career as an NHL player and assistant coach.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Don Waddell, who served as president, general manager and coach during the Thrashers tenure in Atlanta. “Brad did so much for our organization. He was passionate about hockey and life.”

McCrimmon, 52, was an assistant with the Thrashers from 2003-08. He served with Bob Hartley during the Thrashers only playoff appearance. McCrimmon interviewed for several head coaching positions in recent years, including with the Thrashers after Hartley was fired.

"Everyone loved being around him and respected him," said former Thrasher Eric Boulton, who played several years under McCrimmon. "It's such a sad day. He was one of the best men in hockey."

McCrimmon spent the past three seasons as an assistant with the Red Wings before taking on his new role in May.

According to the Russian Emergency Situations Ministry, at least 43 of the 45 people on board the plane died. The Russian Times confirmed that McCrimmon was one of the dead. Red Wings coach Mike Babcock told the Detroit Free Press that he confirmed McCrimmon’s death.

The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said the plane was carrying the Lokomotiv hockey team. The Yak-42 aircraft crashed immediately after taking off from an airport near Yaroslavl, northeast of Moscow. The team was heading to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, where it was to play Thursday against Dinamo Minsk in its KHL season opening game.

A native of Saskatchewan, McCrimmon played 18 seasons in the NHL with six teams -- Boston, Philadelphia, Calgary, Detroit, Hartford and Phoenix from 1979-80 to 1996-97.

He played 1,222 regular-season games in the NHL with 81 goals, 322 assists and 1,416 penalty minutes.

He was also an assistant coach with the New York Islanders and Calgary Flames.

McCrimmon is survived by his wife Maureen, daughter Carlin and son Liam.

“I feel so bad for his family,” Waddell said. “This is hard to explain.”