Esposito 'in shock' after daughter's death at age 43

Tampa Bay Lightning founder Phil Esposito said he was leaving for Germany on Wednesday to attend a Sunday viewing for his daughter, Carrie Selivanov, who died Monday at age 43.

Carrie died from a unknown illness, according to Esposito, who currently serves as the Lightning’s vice president of corporate relations and while working as the color analyst for radio broadcast during home games.

She was married to former Lightning player Alex Selivanov and previously worked as director of team services. The couple was living in Germany and he was working as a player-coach in the Netherlands.

Esposito said he received a call late Monday night from his son-in-law stating something was wrong.

“He told me there was a problem, that Carrie was in the hospital and was in a coma and she had been coughing up blood,’’ Esposito said. “About 40 minutes later, he called back and said she had died.’’

 “I’m in shock, I’ve been through losing my dad and my mom and other deaths, but my kids … you are not supposed to outlive your kids,’’ Esposito said.

The couple owned a home in Krefeld, Germany, where Carrie was living with the couple’s three children while Selivanov served as a player/coach for the Dutch hockey club Hague.

Esposito said he received a call late Monday night from his son-in-law stating something was wrong.

“He told me there was a problem, that Carrie was in the hospital and was in a coma and she had been coughing up blood,’’ Esposito said. “About 40 minutes later, he called back and said she had died.’’

Esposito currently serves as the Lightning’s vice president of corporate relations and while working as the color analyst for radio broadcast during home games. He said he planned to leave for Germany Wednesday morning where a viewing will be held for Carrie on Sunday.

The Selivanovs were married in 1996 while Alex was  playing for the Lightning.

Carrie is also survived by three children, Nikko, 13; and Rocco, 10; and Dylan, 18, from a previous marriage; and two sisters, Laurie and Cherise.

 “I’m in shock, I’ve been through losing my dad and my mom and other deaths, but my kids … you are not supposed to outlive your kids,’’ said Esposito.

Condolences for the family can be sent to: Phil Esposito, c/o Tampa Bay Lightning, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa FL 33602.

The family has yet to determine where memorial donations should be made. More information will be forthcoming when available.

In a statement late Tuesday, Esposito said:

“On behalf of Alex Selivanov, Carrie’s sisters Laurie and Cherise, and my wife, Bridget, I’d like to thank everyone in the Tampa Bay community and in the hockey fraternity for their thoughts, prayers and well wishes as we grieve Carrie’s passing. … We are shocked and saddened with her death but we will remember her for the energy and vigor that she brought to each day of her life. Our focus will now center on her sons Dylan, Nikko and Rocco.”