Hockey mourns the death of Abakar Kazbekov, who played for the London Knights in the elite junior competition of the Ontario Hockey League. According to the media, a native of Moscow died on Saturday morning after falling from a building in the city center. Police do not suspect foul play, but the investigation is still ongoing.
Kazbekov also played for London in a 5-2 win over the Owen Sound Attack on Friday. He has been with the Knights since last season, in which he scored one goal in nine games. In this year, he scored one assist in twelve duels.
After the tragedy, the OHL management postponed Saturday’s duel in London as well as two other matches of the competition.
According to a source who spoke to Canadian station CTV News, Kazbek’s death was “totally unexpected”.
The OHL is one of Canada’s top three juniors, along with the WHL and QMJHL. From there, hockey players flock to the NHL draft, or develop here until they are ready for professional hockey.
17-year-old defender Oliver Bonk, who was born in Canada, but as the son of the former Czech center Radek Bonk, also has Czech citizenship, also starts in London.
