The 15 Year Passing Of A Young Promising Hockey Player

He was selected in the first round, 17th overall, in the 2007 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers, although he never played professional hockey in North America.

Alexei Cherepanov was the top ranked prospect in Europe. Pierre McGuire said Alexei was legitimate NHL prospect and had a special talent for scoring goals:

During a KHL game in October 13, 2008, Cherepanov collapsed on the bench near the end of the game, and could not be resuscitated.

He was pronounced dead later that day in hospital at age 19. His cause of death was attributed to heart failure.

The KHL renamed its Rookie of the Year trophy to the Alexei Cherepanov Trophy.