Where is K.H.L.'s president?

  
'I can see Russia from Alaska"

(The Gazprom delegation who visited Anchorage, Alaska included the Chairman of Board Alexey Miller, the Vice-Presidents of the Board Alexander Medvedev, ...)


By Tony Hopfinger, Alaska Dispatch, "While Governor Palin is gone, the Russians invade Alaska"

Both state and Conoco officials said the visit from Gazprom’s top brass touched on general energy opportunities in Alaska, with no specifics, but Gazprom’s leaders have said in recent months that they’d be interested in becoming part of the mega natural-gas pipeline project from the Alaskan Arctic to Alberta, Canada. (We must note that this project is far from a sure thing. Alaska’s leaders have been trying to land the pipeline for decades. Despite grand proclamations this year from both Palin and the two oil companies, the fabled pipeline may be no closer to becoming a reality than it was 20 years ago, especially given the sudden market meltdown and drop in oil prices. Who’s going to finance the $30 billion to $40 billion project?)

The Russian invasion comes about a month after presidential candidate John McCain suggested in an interview that Palin, in office less than two years, has gained foreign policy experience because, as he put it, “Alaska is right next to Russia. Sarah Palin understands that.” When Palin agreed to one of her rare media interviews since joining the McCain ticket, she told Katie Couric she knows a thing or two about Russia. “As Putin rears his head and comes into the air space of the United States of America, where do they go? It’s Alaska,” Palin said.

Unfortunately for Palin, she just missed a golden opportunity to prove her expertise in Alaska-Russia policy. Gazprom is a giant in the oil and gas industry – the largest company in Russia and, in fact, the third largest in the world. What former Alaska oilman (and now convicted felon) Bill Allen would call, “one of the big boys.” With the Russian government holding a majority stake, Gazprom is an aggressive player now spreading itself around the globe. Gazprom controls more than 90 percent of Russia’s gas and 17 percent of the world’s reserves.

If the state of Alaska is to ever have a relationship with Gazprom, it’s going to require a hardened, diplomatic leader. And if McCain loses the election, perhaps Palin will have a chance to prove she’s up to the task.

The K.H.L. President Alexander Medvedev came back from Alaska and yesterday, at the Gazprom headquaters, he answered some questions regarding the tragic death of Alexei Cherepanov.
From AllHockey.ru, Oct. 16, 2008:

Medvedev: "I've learned about the tragedy while I was in America on a working visit. I was in shock. I wish to express our condolences to the relatives and friends of Alex, fans and all the compatriots ... Even if there was a one chance out of a thousand to save Cherepanov and it was not used, the question arises 'why'? The cause of death is being investigated by law enforcement agency with forensic examination."

Is K.H.L. involved in this?
Medvedev: The league create a comission with the participation of KHLPA President Andrei Kovalenko. It is important to respond on why, despite the regulations clearly stated in the league's medical requirements for the game, things like that could happen? KHL was at one of the games in Chekhov earlier in the season and everything was there as expected. The official document stating that the hockey arena in Chekhov was ready was signed, and then why they did not provide appropriate assistance to Cherepanov? I don't even care whether the ambulance was there at the beginning or not. Why it was not there at the right time? The answer to that question will be given after investigation. Emotions and speculation have no place here right now. So far I am not giving the names of those who were responsible for checking if all the requirements were followed. But it seems that they relied on "maybe" and eventually a chance to save the man's life has been lost.

What is in your agenda right now?
Medvedev: I received a correspondence from the doctor who several years ago saved a life of Detroit's defensman Fischer. He gave an advice on medical equipment and said what issues needed to be verified in the course of the investigation. There will be an absolutely independent assessment of what happened in Chekhov. During the next break in the calendar because of the "Karyaly" Cup we'll begin an independent medical examination of all young players. We'll also set specific age limits. We'll extend this practice to all KHL players.

We are using all the tips and advises that we are receiving from NHL medical staff. We look forward to receive the results of Cherepanov examination when he was at the Rangers camp last year. All the players, who will not pass the examination, will not be allowed to play in the league.

Will there be a question answered about all the mandatory resources to be present at the hockey arenas?
Medvedev: We'll definitely mandate that ambulance should have defiblirators. And we'll work on the requirement that those who will be there will use those resources professionally. But I want to say that Vityaz and Avanguard nedical staff did all that was possible.

It was said that Cherepanov's blood will be tested for the presence of doping. Do you have plans to test all the players?
Medvedev: We've discussed this issue with Vyacheslav Fetisov, the representative of Russia in WADA. The exact dates of examination are not yet set, but it will be independent. In doing so KHL is ready to finance this program. The main thing is to create a system allowing the use of certain drugs, including the ones that are vitamins based. It's no secret that a number of teams loves to use IV and nobody knows what they put in there. We will discuss all the necessary measures at an emergency meeting of the K.H.L.'s board of directors.

Can I ask you something, my fellow dudes and dudettes?

Do you want Medvedev's Gazprom to be a part of the mega natural-gas pipeline project from the Alaskan Arctic to Alberta, Canada?