Prosecutors place blame for Cherepanov's death

MOSCOW (AP) -- Moscow regional prosecutors have blamed an ice arena manager and a hockey club director for negligence in the death of rising Russian star Alexei Cherepanov.

Prosecutors said in a statement posted on their Web site Tuesday that the manager of the Moscow region arena where Cherepanov was playing failed to coordinate proper emergency medical services before the game.

The 19-year-old Cherepanov collapsed Oct. 13 while on the bench for Omsk club Avangard in Russia's Continental Hockey League, or KHL. The player, a top prospect for NHL club New York Rangers, died shortly thereafter.

Investigators say Cherepanov apparently had chronic ischemia -- a medical condition that means not enough blood gets to the heart or other organs. They said that calls in question the competency of arena manager Yury Afonkin and the director of opposing club KHL club Vityaz. The club director, Mikhail Denisov, has already been fired.

Arena officials couldn't be immediately reached for comment.

Prosecutors did not say whether they were planning to file criminal charges.

Last month, KHL officials said results of a preliminary investigation showed emergency medical personnel acted properly in treating Cherepanov after his collapse.

A comprehensive forensics examination is continuing.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.