Ice skating rinks across the country gathered virtually to remember figure skaters who died in a plane crash outside of Washington, D.C. last week.

Some skaters gathered at the Ice House of New Jersey in Hackensack for the event. They say that it has been hard to keep practicing knowing that so many people within the skating community are no longer there. Two young skaters who died were supposed to train at the Ice House this week.

Ice House director Craig Maurizi tells News 12 that 31 members of the ice skating community died in the crash – including 14 skaters under the age of 15 and 17 parents and coaches.

Candles were placed on the ice rink in the shape of a heart ahead of the vigil. Skaters then came out with flowers to place in the center of the ring.

Maurizi says that he was close to the coaches that died. He made a heartwarming speech saying that he and others will continue to carry on the memory of those who were lost through every performance.

“To know that they're not going to be there, it’s numbing. It numbs my heart. It’s something I don’t think I fully processed yet,” Maurizi says.