AP Photo/Misha Japaridze

It’s one of those moments when you recall exactly where you were and what you were doing. A year ago today, I was in my office when the tragic news of a plane crash flooded Twitter. I wept along with the hockey community. I remember the weeks and months that followed were an outpour of support for the 44 victims and their families.

To add to the tragedy, it was later confirmed by investigators that the two pilots were flying illegally and had no business operating the aircraft.

The Associate Press announced that a memorial service was held today at a Moscow cathedral before friends and relatives of the victims laid flowers at a cemetery. They also documented fans were at their respective arenas to release balloons at the time of the crash.

Shortly after 4:00 pm 365 days ago, players and staff of the Lokomotiv team were on board the Yak-42 to play their first game of the season. As they headed down the runway, the plane slammed into the riverbank and erupted in flames.

OET would like to take a moment to remember those lives lost and pray for their families. Unfortunately it takes moments like this to remember a NHL lockout isn’t so hard to handle in the grand scheme of things.