Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov dies aged 21 after being diagnosed with a brain cancer.
Drafted 15th overall in 2020, the winger sat out last season to receive treatment and rehabilitate.
The Canadian Press · August 14, 2023 12:00 PM PDT | Last updated on August 14, 2023.
Rodion Amirov, a Toronto Maple Leafs prospect, has died after being diagnosed with a brain cancer last year. He was 21.
The Maple Leafs reported that the left-winger died Monday in Munich, Germany, where he was getting treatment. They also paid tribute to Amirov on the Scotiabank Arena’s outside video board.
“The entire Maple Leafs organization is devastated by this tragic loss,” Maple Leafs President Brendan Shanahan said in a statement. “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.”
Amirov signed a three-year entry-level contract with Toronto in April 2021, after being selected 15th overall in the 2020 NHL draft.
Kyle Dubas, the former Maple Leafs general manager, said in February 2022 that Amirov had been diagnosed with a brain cancer and was being treated. He missed the full 2022-23 season for treatment and recovery.
“The optimism and amazing outlook on life throughout Rodion’s battle were unwavering and incredible,” Dubas, now president of hockey operations and general manager of the Pittsburgh Penguins, said in a statement. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of such a great young man with so much potential.
“His unwavering optimism — even in the face of a terrible diagnosis — will stay with me forever. Rodion was such a brave man, and I am confident that his spirit has impacted and will continue to live in everyone who was fortunate enough to know him.”
Amirov traveled to Toronto for four rounds of chemotherapy last fall and attended the Maple Leafs’ 2022-23 home opener against Washington, when he was introduced as an honorary member of the playing squad to a standing ovation from the crowd.
“It’s incredibly hard to comprehend Rodion’s loss,” Maple Leafs captain John Tavares wrote on social media. “His smile and enthusiasm for life and hockey were contagious.
“So much promise.”My teammates and I am grateful for the time we spent with him and will be forever inspired by his heroic struggle. My condolences to his loved ones. We’ll miss him greatly.”
Player Statistics: Rodion Amirov
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On May 10, Amirov extended his contract with his hometown Salavat Yulaev of Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League after the Maple Leafs agreed to a one-year loan for the 2023-24 season.
“It’s incredibly sad to see a young man with so much promise taken from us so soon,” Shanahan said. “We offer our deepest condolences to Rodion’s family and friends as we mourn this loss together.”
Amirov scored 10 goals and added 18 points in 70 games with Salavat Yulaev across three KHL seasons. He also contributed two goals and four assists for Russia in the 2021 men’s world junior hockey championship.
“From the moment he received the news [of his tumour], he refused to speak in the negative, determined to enjoy every day, facing it with the same positive attitude he showed during his hockey career,” Dan Milstein, his agent, wrote on Twitter. “We will always remember his courage, his desire, his will, his smile, all of the great things about him.”
