Former L.A. hockey players presumed dead in Russia crash *

A Russian jet carrying the Lokomotiv pro ice hockey team crashed near the city of Yaroslavl, killing at least 43 people aboard with two survivors. Wire accounts say the presumed dead include former Los Angeles Kings forward Pavol Demitra and former Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ruslan Salei. Former Kings draftee Jan Marek was also on the team's roster.

Sunday, incidentally, will be the tenth anniversary of the deaths of Kings scouts Ace Bailey and Mark Bavis on United Airlines Flight 175 in the 9/11 attacks.

* Update: Statement from the Kings reads, "The Los Angeles Kings organization is deeply saddened with the tragic news of this morning’s plane crash in Russia that was carrying the members of the KHL’s Lokomotiv organization, including former Kings forward Pavol Demitra, former Kings prospect Jan Marek and many other members of the NHL Family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the family and friends of those affected by this terrible occurrence."