The Detroit Red Wings family experienced a loss.
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 20, 2021
Long-time team masseur Sergei Tchekmarev has passed away at the age of 65, as announced by an emotional Jeff Blashill following tonight’s game. He and the team learned of the news immediately following their tilt against Florida at Little Caesars Arena.
“He was one of the best people I’ve ever been around,” Blashill says. “My heart goes out to his family and certainly to so many people around here that loved him, including myself.”
The #RedWings are devastated to learn tonight of the passing of longtime team masseur Sergei Tchekmarev, a beloved figure around the Red Wings dressing room since 1998.
Head coach Jeff Blashill shared his thoughts about “Cheeka” following tonight’s game. pic.twitter.com/vVesoWZA7p
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 20, 2021
Former Red Wings legend and fellow Russian Sergei Fedorov had this to say about Tchekmarev in 2015:
“Chica was a very big guy back then. He’s still tall but not as stocky. I thought he was going to grab me and take me to the coaches’ room but thank God it didn’t happen. But those kind of thoughts raced through my mind, and I knew he might get in trouble. We didn’t really think lots about it. We care about each other to this day, we’re friends and I don’t feel leaving behind comfortably. So he means a lot because he knows me since 15 years old, since Red Army days. But I’m glad everything worked out, everything sort of very positive. He’s still the same Chica we know from a long time ago. He’s a great friend.”
He’d been employed by the Red Wings since the 1998-99 season, and is survived by a wife and daughter.
We send our thoughts and condolences to his family and friends at this time.
– – Quotes via Bill Roose Link – –
