Stars that died in 2023

In 2024, we've experienced the loss of several luminaries in the world of entertainment. These beloved figures—actors, comedians, musicians, singers, and coaches—have touched our lives with their talent, passion, and dedication. They've left an indelible mark on our hearts and shaped the world of entertainment in ways that will continue to inspire and influence generations to come. Among the incredible actors who bid farewell this year, we mourn the loss of a true chameleon who effortlessly.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Stefan Liv, Swedish, Olympic gold medalist (2006), world champion (2006), died in a plane crash he was 30.

Stefan Daniel Patryk Liv, born Patryk Śliż, was a Polish-born Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender died in a plane crash he was 30.. Liv played professionally in Sweden, North America and Russia. Liv played nine seasons for HV71 in Sweden. He played one season of minor league hockey in North America then returned to Europe. Upon his return, he played three seasons in Sweden, then moved to Russia in 2009. He was a member of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl of the KHL when he died with the rest of the team in a plane crash. He was a member of several Swedish national teams, including the 2006 Olympic championship team.

(21 December 1980 – 7 September 2011)

Personal

Liv was born in Gdynia, Poland, as Patryk Śliz, given to an orphanage in Gdańsk and adopted by a Swedish family around the age of two. He kept his original first name as a second first name.^[1]^[2]

Playing career

Liv was the starting goaltender for HC Sibir and was often chosen for the Swedish national team. On 22 December 2005, he was named as third goaltender to Team Sweden for the 2006 Winter Olympics.^[3] He wore the goaltender's glove on his left hand. He was agile, quick in moving from side to side and skilled with close-range shots,^[4] and his unorthodox style reminded some of Dominik Hašek.^[5]
Liv played his first Elitserien game in Sweden on 18 January 2000 in Jönköping for HV71 against Luleå HF. His first national appearance was in a match against the Czech Republic, also in Jönköping, on 9 November 2000. Liv was drafted in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the Detroit Red Wings in the third round, 102nd overall.^[6]
Liv signed a one-year contract with the Red Wings in May 2006,^[5] but started season 2006–07 playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League (AHL).^[7] He was recalled by the Red Wings on 17 November 2006.^[8] On 26 November 2006, Liv was back with the Grand Rapids playing against Houston Aeros. Two days later, Liv was assigned to the Toledo Storm in ECHL when the Grand Rapids recalled goalie Logan Koopmans.^[9] He was later recalled by Grand Rapids.
After one season with the Detroit Red Wings' organization, playing mostly for Grand Rapids, totaling a save percentage of .895 over 34 games, he signed a three-year contract with his former Swedish club HV71.^[10] He continued the 2007–08 season by winning the Swedish Championship and was awarded the Guldpucken as the Player of the Year in the Elitserien. Season 2009-10 Liv played again at HV 71, and he was selected to Swedens Olympic team for Vancouver Olympics 2010, where he was third goalie after New York Rangers Henrik Lundvist and Toronto Maple Leafs Jonas Gustavsson. Season 2010-11 Liv played at Sibir Novosibirsk in KHL, and was selected KHL All-star game 2011. For season 2011-12 Liv moved to Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. ^[11]

Death

On 7 September 2011, Liv was killed when a Yakovlev Yak-42 passenger aircraft, carrying nearly his entire Lokomotiv team, crashed just outside Yaroslavl, Russia. The team was traveling to Minsk to play their opening game of the season, with its coaching staff and prospects. Lokomotiv officials said "'everyone from the main roster was on the plane plus four players from the youth team.'"^[12]^[13]^[14]
As a result of Liv's death, the premier round games of the 2011–12 Elitserien season, between 13–15 September, began with a one-minute silence.^[15] In honour, his No. 1 jersey will be retired and raised to the rafters by HV71 in Kinnarps Arena prior to HV71's home game against Timrå IK on 10 January 2012.^[16]^[17] To remember Liv throughout the 2011–12 season, all player jerseys in HV71's team carry number 1 on the front.^[18] On 10 September 2011, over 10,000 fans of HV71 attended Kinnarps Arena, HV71's home arena, to honor Stefan Liv.^[19]
In their 2011 season opener, each member of the Detroit Red Wings wore a patch bearing "BM*RS*SL" to honor the memories of Liv, Lokomotiv coach Brad McCrimmon, and defenseman Ruslan Salei.^[20] Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard also paid a personal tribute to the three men on the back of his mask.^[21] Liv and Howard had shared goaltending duties during Liv's season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.^[22]
Liv's body was buried at the Sofiakyrkan church in Jönköping on 2 October 2011, with 120 friends and relatives arriving at the scene and leaving one rose flower each on Liv's coffin.^[23]^[24]

Awards

Nominated to the Elitserien Rookie of the Year in 2001.
Named to the Elitserien All-Star Game in 2002.
Bronze medal at the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2002.
Awarded the Honken Trophy (Swedish Goaltender of the Year) in 2002.
Silver medal at the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2004.
Elitserien playoff winner with HV71 in 2004 and 2008.
Gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2006.
Gold medal at the Ice Hockey World Championship in 2006.
Awarded Guldpucken (Swedish Player of the Year) in 2008.
Named to the Swedish All-Star Team in 2008.
Elitserien playoff silver medal with HV71 in 2009.
Bronze medal at the Ice Hockey World Championships in 2009.

Records

Elitserien record for shutouts in playoffs (5) — (four during the finals)
Elitserien record for career shutouts (37)
HV71's club record for total minutes played (13,231)
HV71's club record for shutouts in a season (6)
HV71's club record for career GAA (2.17)

Career statistics

Regular season


Season	Team	League	GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA
1999–00	HV71	SEL	12				716	25	0	2.09
2000–01	HV71	SEL	46				2,752	127	4	2.77
2001–02	HV71	SEL	38				2,184	95	4	2.61
2002–03	HV71	SEL	46				2,723	124	3	2.73
2003–04	HV71	SEL	41				2,451	91	6	2.23
2004–05	HV71	SEL	40				2,404	119	2	2.97
2005–06	HV71	SEL	40				2,406	87	4	2.17
2006–07	Grand Rapids Griffins	AHL	34	15	15	0	1,893	95	2	3.01
2006–07	Toledo Storm	ECHL	3	1	1	1	184	7	0	2.29
2007–08	HV71	SEL	48	26	11	11	2,785	105	5	2.26
2008–09	HV71	SEL	35	15	9	11	2,001	86	1	2.58
2009–10	HV71	SEL	43				2,542	110	4	2.60
2010–11	HC Sibir	KHL	39	19	16	2	2,276	84	4	2.21
SEL totals			389				22,964	969	33	2.49
KHL totals			39	19	16	2	2,276	84	4	2.21
ECHL totals			3	1	1	1	184	7	0	2.29
AHL totals			34	15	15	0	1,893	95	2	3.01

Statistics as of the end of the Elitserien regular season 2008–09.^[4]^[25]^[26]

Post-season


Season	Team	League	GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA
1999–00	HV71	SEL	3	1	2	0	178	12	0	4.04
2001–02	HV71	SEL	8	4	4	0	517	27	0	3.13
2002–03	HV71	SEL	7	3	4	0	391	17	1	2.61
2003–04	HV71	SEL	18	12	6	0	1,091	35	5	1.92
2005–06	HV71	SEL	12	7	5	0	668	38	0	3.41
2007–08	HV71	SEL	17	12	5	0	1,020	31	3	1.82
2008–09	HV71	SEL	18	9	8	0	1,111	35	1	1.89
SEL totals			83	48	34	0	4,976	195	10	2.48

Statistics as of the end of Elitserien playoffs 2009.^[4]^[25]

International play

Liv has played for Sweden in:

International statistics


Year	Team	Event	GP	W	L	T	MIN	GA	SO	GAA
2002	Sweden	WC	2	2	0	0	120	3	1	1.50
2004	Sweden	WC	1	1	0	0	60	1	0	1.00
2006	Sweden	Oly	1	1	0	0	60	2	0	2.00
2006	Sweden	WC	1	1	0	0	60	0	1	0.00
2008	Sweden	WC	3	1	2	0	178	6	1	2.02
Senior int'l totals			8	6	2	0	478	12	3	1.51

Statistics as of 17 May 2008.^[4]^[25]

To see more of who died in 2011 click here