The hockey world is devastated by the news that the Toronto Maple Leafs first-round draft prospect Rodion Amirov has passed away after a two-year-long battle with a brain tumor. There has been a flood of support for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Salavat Yulayev Ufa organizations respective to their leagues. Rodion’s agent, Dan Milstein, released a statement via Twitter.
“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 showed during his hockey career. We will always remember his 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. 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.”
Dan Milstein – August 14th, 2023 – via Twitter/X
Amirov, 21, was selected 15th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The Salavat, Russia native, was highly touted from the moment he was available to be drafted and showed great potential. Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares took to Twitter/X to release a statement following the passing of his teammate.
“It’s incredibly hard to comprehend the loss of Rodion. His smile and joy for life & hockey was infectious. My teammates & I are grateful for our time spent with him & forever inspired by his courageous fight. Condolences to his loved ones. We’ll miss him dearly. #RodionForever”
John Tavares – August 14th, 2023 – via Twitter/X
The Toronto Maple Leafs president and alternate governor, Brendan Shanahan, would also release a statement following Amirov’s passing.
“The entire Maple Leafs organization is devastated by this tragic loss. 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 is incredibly sad to see a young man with so much promise taken from us so soon. We offer our deepest condolonces to Rodion’s family and friends as we mourn this loss together.”
Brendan Shanahan, Maple Leafs President & Alternate Governor – August 14th, 2023
Amirov signed his three-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the spring of 2021. In February 2022, it was announced that he had cancer. Amirov represented Russia at a number of different levels in Russia’s youth hockey program and was a member of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton.
We express our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Rodion Amirov and continually pray for the family during this difficult time.
