The former Capitals and current Maple Leafs netminder took to Instagram to pay tribute to Rodion Amirov, who passed away after a year-and-a-half-long battle with a brain tumor.
Former Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs netminder Ilya Samsonov, along with Ivan Miroshnichenko, Dmitry Orlov and more members of the hockey community, took to social media to pay tribute to Maple Leafs prospect Rodian Amirov, who died on Monday due to a brain tumor. He was 21 years old.
Amirov was Toronto's first-round selection (No. 15) in the 2020 NHL Draft. He was known for his excellence in two-way play and versatility and ability to play on either wing. Scouts also revered his craftiness on offense and his battle that made him difficult to defend against.
The Russian had been diagnosed in February 2022 after experiencing new symptoms following an injury suffered earlier in the 2021-22 KHL season.
Samsonov wrote on his Instagram story that he didn't get the chance to speak with Amirov before his passing while reposting the Maple Leafs' tribute to him.
"Didn't have time to call my dear... Kingdom of heaven," Samsonov wrote on his Instagram story on Monday.
Washington prospect and ex-Avangard Omsk forward Ivan Miroshnichenko, as well as former Capitals and current Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Dmitry Orlov and more players from across the league, also shared the tribute to Amirov on social media.
Hockey agent Dan Milstein announced his client's passing on Monday, citing the 21-year-old's courage and optimism during his treatment while thanking doctors, Toronto and Amirov's KHL team, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, for their support and doing "everything possible to help."
"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," Milstein wrote. "We will always remember his courage, his desire, his will, his smile, all of the great things about him."