This is just incredibly sad news to report as a young athlete has lost his life.
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov has died, his agent Dan Milstein announced Monday. He was 21.
“We will always remember [Amirov’s] courage, his desire, his will, his smile, all of the great things about him. We’d like to thank his doctors, who took great care of him. We’d like to thank the Toronto Maple Leafs and his KHL — Salavat Yulayev Ufa — team. Both did everything possible to help in any way, do whatever was necessary for Rodion and the Amirov family,” Milstein posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
“And we’d like to thank hockey fans all over the world who sent notes of encouragement and best wishes over the past two years. They meant so much to the Amirov family.”
Amirov was diagnosed with a brain tumor two years ago, Milstein revealed. In February of last year, the Maple Leafs publicized Amirov’s diagnosis after the tumor was discovered while he was being treated for an unrelated injury. He would not play for the rest of that season.
He was in Toronto to skate and train to begin the 2022-23 season before returning home last November.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs, who selected Amirov, a left-wing, in the first round three years ago, also acknowledged his passing with a statement.
“The entire Maple Leafs organization is devastated by this tragic loss,” the statement reads. “Over the duration of his courageous battle, Rodion’s positivity inspired everyone around him, and he made lasting impressions with our team and fans in his brief visits to Toronto.
“It’s incredibly sad to see a young man with so much promise taken from us so soon. We offer our deepest condolences to Rodion’s family and friends as we mourn this loss together.”
During his time in Toronto, he underwent four rounds of chemotherapy. He was even celebrated with a standing ovation when he appeared at an Oct. 13 Maple Leafs game against the Washington Capitals.
We send out thoughts and prayers to his family during this difficult time.
