Lokomotiv Yaroslavl Will Mourn, but Play

Update Sep 12 9am: It has been announced that Alexander Galimov has lost his fight for life and passed away due to the severe burns he suffered during the crash.

Update Sep 10 9am: Despite previous statements, Lokomotiv president Yuri Yakovlev has announced at a press conference that the team will not play this year.

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Lokomotiv Yaroslavl are determined to see out the season.

They were hit by tragedy on Tuesday when the plane carrying them to their KHL season-opening game in Minsk crashed killing all bar one of their playing and coaching staff including former NHLers Karel Rachunek, Ruslan Salei, Karlis Skrastins, Pavol Demitra and Josef Vasicek and head coach Brad McCrimmon.

And the survivor, Alexander Galimov is in hospital battling for his life with reported 90% burns to his body and major damage to his respiratory system.

But the nature of the tragedy goes deeper, they weren't just hockey players. They were fathers, brothers and husbands.

The KHL season has been put on hold until September 12 and however difficult it will be, Lokomotiv want to be part of it.