A fiery crash in western Russia has killed almost every member of one of Russia's best hockey teams comprised mostly of former NHL stars.

The team was coached by Canadian and former NHLer, Brad McCrimmon, who also perished in the crash. He is the brother of Brandon Wheat Kings owner Kelly McCrimmon.

As news of the crash reached North America, NHL players reacted. "Absolutely awful. I mean it's already been a difficult summer for hockey players, and the hockey world," said Chicago Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews.

The plane was carrying Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, a Kontinental Hockey League team. The KHL is a league of teams from several countries including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Latvia and Slovakia.

The plane was going to Minsk, site of the Kontinental Hockey League's Locomotive team's home opener, when it crashed Wednesday shortly after take-off in western Russia.

Two people managed to escape the flaming wreckage.

McCrimmon was a native of Saskatchewan. The 52-year-old was previously an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings, and played for years in the NHL for Boston, Philadelphia, Detroit, Hartford and Phoenix. He was the Locomotive's head coach, a position he had just taken this past May.

"He was a really outgoing young man, we had a lot of fun together," remembered McCrimmon's friend, Lorne Molleken. "He was well-respected among all players in the National Hockey League. His brother, Kelly, is a big part of our league and a close friend of mine. So it's a difficult day."

Among the many former NHL players killed in the crash was Pavol Demitra, Ruslan Salei and former Winnipeg Jet, Igor Korolev.

Ray Shero, the Pittsburgh Penguins general manager spoke about the crash on Wednesday.

"The thoughts and prayers of the Penguins, the NHL family and the entire hockey world are with you during this difficult time," said Shero

There's no word yet on what may have caused the crash.

True North Sports & Entertainment and the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club also issued a statement Wednesday afternoon about the fatal crash that claimed 43 lives, including a former Jet.  

"We join together with the entire hockey community to mourn the tragedy that occurred earlier today. We would like to express our sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of former Winnipeg Jet Igor Korolev and former Brandon Wheat King Brad McCrimmon, as well as the entire Lokomotiv Yaroslavl organization," said officials in the statement. 

-With a report from CTV's Jon Hendricks and with files from The Canadian Press