Sasha Lakovic, 45, succumbs to brain cancer.
The Rochester Americans are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Amerks forward Sasha Lakovic. The East Vancouver, British Columbia, native passed away Tuesday at the age of 45 following a seventh-month battle with brain cancer.
Lakovic played his final season in the American Hockey League and his only year in Rochester during the 2000-01 campaign, compiling 12 points (3+9) and a team-high 161 penalty minutes in 51 games with the Amerks. He also added two points (1+1) and 32 penalty minutes in four playoff appearances.
“Sasha was a great teammate who would stick up for his own players, but he was an even better person and loved his little daughter,” said former teammate Francois Methot, who led the Amerks in scoring that year with 55 points. “After years of not seeing him, we ended up running into each other at a hockey tournament in Amsterdam and he gave me a big bear hug and was so proud to tell me that he had a picture up in his house of an overtime goal he scored with the Amerks when we were linemates. He went on to brag about being a new father and he looked so happy. I am shocked and sad for his family and loved ones.”
Lakovic went on to appear in 37 NHL games with the Calgary Flames and New Jersey Devils during his 12-year pro career before retiring after the 2004-05 season.
He is also widely known for his portrayal of Boris Mikhailov, captain of the 1980 Soviet Hockey Team, in the movie Miracle.