Prime Minister Vladimir Putin expresses his deep condolences to the family and friends of Valery Vasilyev, an outstanding hockey player and two-time Olympic champion, on the occasion of his death

The message reads, in part:

"We have lost a talented and open-hearted individual, full of an enormous positive energy. Valery Vasilyev won truly national fame. His name is associated with the most brilliant pages in the history of our national ice hockey and the triumphant, legendary victories of our hockey team.

"We will always cherish the bright memory of Valery Vasilyev."