World ice hockey chief Rene Fasel said the crash in Yaroslavl was "the darkest day in the history of our sport".

The Yak-42 plane came down shortly after take off on September 7 from the Russian city and burst into flames.

In all, 43 people - including top Russian and European players - died in the accident. Only two people survived.

All 11 foreign players and coaches on board the plane were killed, including the team's Canadian coach, Brad McCrimmon, Swedish goalie Stefan Liv and players from Belarus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Latvia, Slovakia and Ukraine.

Russian player Alexander Galimov survived the crash with 80% burns along with a member of the crew. Local media briefly reported the player had died of his injuries, but a doctor at the local hospital later said he was still alive after undergoing surgery.

The second survivor was identified as Alexander Sizov, member of the eight-strong crew.

Search and rescue teams have now recovered 35 bodies, and 12 of the victims have been identified.

The cause of the crash is being investigated, but reports in the Russian media suggest the plane may have struck a radio mast.

Earlier in July this year, a passenger plane crashed in northern Russia and 44 people died.