PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Penguins’ players and fans came together this weekend to help the families of a Russian hockey team lost in a plane crash earlier this year. On Sept. 7, a plane carrying the players and coaches of the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team crashed in Russia, killing 44 people.On Sunday evening, a benefit for “Flight Team Lokomotiv” was held at Bossa Nova in Downtown Pittsburgh.
Russian native and Penguins star forward Evgeni Malkin hosted the fundraiser. Dozens attended the event where there was an auction and other fundraising activities.
It’s very important to me and thanks to everyone for coming tonight – my teammates, my friends. We did good stuff tonight, and try raising money for family and children and parents in Russia. I hope it works tonight, and I hope it’s not the last one. – Evgeni Malkin
Other Penguins players were there too, including Sidney Crosby, Jordan Staal, Paul Martin and Brooks Orpik. During their game last month, the Penguins and Washington Capitals wore jerseys with special commemorative Lokomotiv patches, which were later auctioned off by the NHL.
