The fervent brand of nationalism that has flourished in Vladimir Putin’s Russia has taken on many forms, from Nashi youth rallies to nostalgic trends of consumerism to violence against immigrants. But perhaps the most vibrant arena for these patriotic exercises in national pride and supremacy (almost exclusively defined by comparison to the United States) is within sports nationalism. Many have already commented on Russia’s bid, beginning last year, to build a competing elite ice hockey platform known as the Kontinental Hockey League (Континентальная Хоккейная Лига, or KHL), which would eventually overcome the popular National Hockey League in the United States, and lure away all the premiere talent with higher salaries. Look no further than how the state-run media has covered the rise of the KHL to see the enthusiasm of injecting nationalism into this sporting competition. All of this raises some interesting questions following the unexpected and tragic death of the 19-year-old hockey phenom (and leading prospect for the New York Rangers) Alexei Cherepanov, who suffered a fatal heart attack during a KHL game last night.