As training camp for the Red Wings opened up Saturday, forward Pavel Datsyuk was wearing the #24 a tribute to his fallen friend and former teammate Ruslan Salei.

Datsyuk will wear #24 during training camp and througout the preseason. Datsyuk usually wears #13 which he will resume wearing once the regular season rolls around. The number switch was announced via the Red Wings’ official Twitter page and was confirmed when Datsyuk hit the ice this morning in Traverse City.

Ruslan Salei along with former Red Wings assistant and player Brad McCrimmon died in a September 7th plan crash involving Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of the KHL. Former Red Wings goaltending prospect Stefan Liv was also killed in the crash.

Re: Twitter