The KHL has issued a whole string of suspensions today related to the case of Alexei Cherepanov, who died during a game last year, but that's hardly the most shocking revelation in the league's release. 

The KHL states also that, not only should team doctors have known Cherepanov had a heart problem, but they were also attempting to treat his symptoms with stimulants (that led to the doping allegations we heard in the aftermath of his death).

Here's Nikolai Durmanov, head of the KHL's medical centre (bold is mind):

"One of the major issues confronting us was whether the team doctors knew about Cherepanov’s disease. The team doctors of Avangard say that they did not know that Cherepanov had a serious heart condition. According to these doctors it is normal for professional athletes to feel unhealthy. However, we have facts, which indicate that they knew about Alexei’s disease. Most likely, they did not comprehend the full seriousness of his condition, as such conditions should only be treated by experienced cardiologists. The team doctors of Avangard tried to treat Alexei on their own. What the press described as systematic doping, was an attempt to cure Alexei’s heart condition."

With regards to the suspensions handed out, the league's release says:

We are convinced that the following participants exhibited criminal negligence in the performance of their duties. Our sanctions are harsh, but we are confident that prosecutors in both the Omsk region and Chekhov district will also make their decision regarding this case. I believe that those responsible will receive not only sanctions regarding their future participation in sports, but that they will also be indicted on criminal charges.

Here's the list of those suspended by the KHL:

• "Konstantin Potapov, former President of HC Avangard, has been suspended and indefinitely denied the right to occupy any position in any club of the KHL or in any structure of KHL;
  
• "Mikhail Denisov, formerly Director of HC Vityaz, has been suspended and indefinitely denied the right to occupy any position in any club of the KHL or in any structure of KHL;
  
• "Anatoly Bardin, formerly General Manager of HC Avangard, has been suspended and indefinitely denied the right to occupy any position in any club of the KHL, perform management functions in any club or in the structure of KHL;
  
• "Sergei Belkin, currently a doctor of HC Avangard, has been suspended and indefinitely denied the right to occupy any position in any club of the KHL or in any structure of KHL; 
  
• "Dmitry Batushenko currently a doctor of HC Avangard, has been suspended and denied the right to occupy any position in any club of the KHL or in any structure of KHL for two years.

Russian hockey guru Jeff Z. Klein has more over at Slap Shot.

What a tragedy and apparently a very preventable one given the league's findings. It's hard to conclude anything other than the medical standards are simply not high enough in the Russian league.

That said, Cherepanov's condition was also not found by the NHL or the Rangers, and I believe the NHL has subsequently made changes so that further testing will be conducted on young players coming into the league.

Cherepanov didn't apparently report his health problems until this past season, and unfortunately wasn't given the appropriate treatment.