2023-08-14 17:56:51
Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February 2022, has died.
This was announced by his agent, Dan Milstein, on his X account (formerly Twitter) on Monday.
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“Two years ago Rodion was diagnosed with a brain tumour. From then on, he refused to be negative and he was determined to enjoy every day. He faced adversity with the same positive attitude he had during his hockey career,” wrote Milstein.
“We will always remember his courage, his determination, his smile and all the amazing things about him.”
It is we great sadness that we announce the passing of Rodion Amirov. Two years ago, Rodion was diagnosed with a brain tumour. From the moment he received the news, he refused to speak in the negative, determined to enjoy every day, facing it with the same positive attitude he… pic.twitter.com/ye6TdAjGZc
— Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) August 14, 2023
Selected by the Leafs in the first round (15th overall) of the 2020 draft, Amirov never had the chance to make the jump to North America. He played for Salavat Yulaev of Ufa, in the Continental Hockey League (KHL), for almost three seasons, from 2019 to 2021.
Doctors had discovered the hockey player’s tumor when he was being followed for another injury. The skater then underwent treatment in Germany.
“I want to stay positive and I want people to think of me positively,” he told Sportsnet at the time.
“There are many other people living with the disease. I want to be an example and give people hope. […] They can see what I do and take positives from it, he added. I’m in a good frame of mind. I still want to believe that I will be able to play in the best league in the world.
Amirov had one goal and two assists for three points in 10 games before his season ended prematurely in 2021. In 70 games over three KHL seasons, he hit the target 10 times and provided eight assists for 18 dots.
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