Russian hockey player dies trying to save family

A Russian hockey player died trying to rescue his family from their burning home, his team announced on Friday.

Remir Khaidarov, 34, a defender for Siberian second-tier hockey team Rubin Tyumen, raced up the stairs to try and save relatives from his country house when the roof caved in, a website statement said.

"Great woe has come to the Tyumen hockey club Rubin," the team said. "On vacation in his native Kazan, he was at his dacha, where the tragedy occurred."

"A fire broke out and Remir rushed upstairs to rescue relatives. At that moment the roof collapsed."

There was no information on his family.

The funeral is to be held Saturday, the team said.

Khaidarov joined Rubin in 2010 and quickly became one of the team leaders, scoring 14 goals and assisting 18 times in 142 appearances.

He helped the team to the 2011 title of the VHL, which is the Russian farm league to the top KHL, and to the runner-up spot this year.