Yes, a tremendous loss to his family, friends and hockey fans the world about. This seems to have come aggressively to the forefront in the past few years. Fischer, as mentioned. Football players (sometimes heat), often at a high school level. Last year didn't the captain of the Windsor Spitfires have the same problem. Then in the spring David Carle (younger brother of Matt Carle of the Tampa Bay Lightning) was diagnosed as having a problem. He had been rated to go in the 2nd round of the NHL draft. He was selected with the final pick in the draft (recognition for his efforts in getting to this point). He was retired by doctors, or chose to retire, or.... I think the NHL does some testing on young players now in an effort to uncover potential problems. Teppo Numminen of the Buffalo Sabres, who will be 41 by seasons end, has had numerous heart surgeries over the years. Sometimes players can work with their issues. Just depending upon the condition, some are very serious, others not so much. I know that I have heart palpitations periodically. My doctor seems quite unconcerned. I would be surprised to think that Cherepanov hadn't undergone many tests in recent years. He showed up at the NHL draft to put on his New York Rangers jersey. I'm left to wonder if the new scientific training techniques somehow create stresses. Little doubt that this happened in times gone by too, but that it may have gone undiagnosed at the time of the autopsy.
SCOOP
