Rodion Amirov has passed away at 21 years old after battling a brain tumor for the past two years, agent Dan Milstein announced Monday.
Rodion Amirov has died at 21 years old, his agent announced on Monday.
Amirov was diagnosed with a brain tumor two years ago and missed all of last season as he battled to return. He was in Toronto training at the beginning of the 2022-23 season but returned home to Russia for further treatment in November.
"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," agent Dan Milstein said in a statement. "We will always remember his courage, his desire, his will, his smile, all of the great things about him."
Milstein also thanked Amirov's doctors, his KHL team in Ufa, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who drafted him 15th overall in 2020.
"Both did everything possible to help in any way, do whatever was necessary for Rodion and the Amirov family," Milstein said. "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 signed an entry-level contract with the Leafs in April 2021. Born in Salavat, Russia, he also starred on the national team throughout his junior career, including as an alternate captain at the 2020-21 World Junior Championship. The KHL's Kazan and Chelyabinsk teams held a moment of silence before their pre-season contest on Monday, as the league released a statement saying it is deeply saddened by Amirov's passing.
"The entire Maple Leafs organization is devastated by this tragic loss," team 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.
The hockey world is sending its condolences to the family and loved ones of Rodion Amirov after this devastating news.
"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.