It’s a September Saturday in New York/New Jersey and the weather is balmy to the point of no return. On a day where tornadoes hit parts of Brooklyn and Queens, perhaps it’s an ominous sign for what looms ahead. Personally, I’d rather not think about it. The idea that there won’t be NHL hockey this October is pathetic. It speaks to how arrogant and out to lunch the two sides are. So, if that’s what you want then go walk the blank like in Goonies. But at least that was fun :P.

I don’t know how I’ll feel when the owners and players finally come to their senses. Do they even realize that the sport’s still way behind baseball, basketball and football? Hell. Even golf and horse racing dwarf hockey. Yet here we go again and I’m not referring to a favorite 80’s White Snake hit I heard in the car headed into work. Hey. I put my hours in. When will the rich and richer?!?!?!?!?!

Be that as it may, there’s actual puck going on with the start of the KHL (Kontinental Hockey League). The other day marked the one year anniversary of the terrible tragedy to Lokomotiv. A year later, they played with honor by winning their second game of the season.

It’s still hard to believe that 44 lives were taken away due to Yak-42D crashing after takeoff, killing the entire Lokomotiv roster and seven crew members with soul survivor Alexander Sizov, who also was on the crew. The impact on their families and the hockey universe is still being felt. Such a tragedy makes you think about how precious life is. It also gives us a chance to reflect and remember players such as Pavol Demitra who was so much fun to watch. That’s what the game is about. Alexander Karpovtsev was one of the first Russians to etch his name on Lord Stanley alongside Sergei Zubov, Sergei Nemchinov and Alexei Kovalev. He was solid in his time here, filling in admirably when Jeff Beukeboom was suspended. Josef Vasicek went onto have a good career helping Carolina win a Stanley Cup in 2006. He was a smart two-way center who I wouldn’t have minded seeing in a Blueshirt. Maybe not a star like Demitra but the kind of high character guy every team needs.

Rugged defenseman Ruslan Salei was a physical stay at home type who sacrificed for his teams while adding offense. A player who improved throughout and did a solid job. Karlis Skrastins was a similar type of player who made a living out of blocking shots, which means John Tortorella would’ve loved him. Uneducated Daily News sports columnists not so much. Karel Rachunek carved a nice as more of a skating blueliner who could contribute offensively. He was an underrated passer who played power play and could log important minutes. The former Senator did well in his time in the Big Apple.

Jan Marek was a European the Rangers drafted with hopes one day he would come over to North America. However, we never got a chance to see him but from all accounts, he was a skilled player who probably would’ve been fun to watch. Stefan Liv was a former goalie prospect in the Detroit system and Alexander Vasyunov an ex-Devil defenseman. Other Lokomotiv Yaroslavl personnel along with Karpovtsev included Igor Korolev, who was decent with St. Louis and coach Brad McCrimmon, who made his living on the blueline.

The rest of the list includes Vitaly Anikeyenko, Mikhail Balandin, Gennady Churilov, Robert Dietrich, Alexander Galimov, Marat Kalimulin, Alexander Kalyanin, Andrei Kiryukhin, Nikita Klyukin, Sergei Ostapchuk, Maxim Shuvalov, Pavel Snurnitsyn, Daniil Sobchenko, Ivan Tkachenko, Pavel Trakhanov, Yuri Urychev, Alexander Vyukhin, Artem Yarchuk, Yuri Bakhvalov, Aleksandr Belyaev, Nikolai Krivonosov, Yevgeni Kunnov, Vyacheslav Kuznetsov, Vladimir Piskunov, Yevgeni Sidorov and Andrei Zimin.

Somehow, Lokomotiv has survived by winning their first two KHL games. They now play not just for the logo on the jersey but for fallen comrades who still should be around. My heart sinks when I think of how they’re gone. It will always hurt. You feel it in your bones and get chills which I have as I’m punching away. I hope the club continues its renaissance. Persevering with heavy hearts. It’s a great thing that they’ve managed to keep a tradition alive. Today, we celebrate Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. Make sure you take a moment of silence for all the victims.