Today Marks a Tragic Day in Maple Leafs and Hockey History
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August 14th marks the anniversary of the passing of late Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov, who passed away from his bout with brain cancer.
On August 14th, 2023, the hockey world mourned the passing of the late Rodion Amirov, who tragically passed away after he had been diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2022.
Amirov's agent, Dan Milstein, initially shared an announcement about his bout with cancer and how he would be receiving treatment in Germany. He would later receive chemotherapy in Toronto before returning home to Russia, where things took a turn for the worse.
Unfortunately Amirov was unable to train and in his final few months had lost sight from the cancer before his untimely passing.
The Salavat, Russia native was drafted by the Maple Leafs with the 15th overall selection in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He had spent his junior years with Tolpar Ufa of the MHL, as well as partaking in stints in the VHL with Toros Neftekamsk and with Salavat Yulayev Ufa in the KHL.
In his draft season, Amirov scored 10 goals and 22 points in 17 games in the MHL, another 3 points in 5 games in the VHL, and notched 2 assists in the KHL, which earned him high regards heading into the draft.
Due to COVID-19, both his 2019-20 and 2020-21 seasons were cut short, but he still put up 9 goals and 13 points in 39 games in the KHL, in his first real taste of the professional league.
Due to the diagnosis, his 2021-22 season was cut short, and he was unable to continue his playing career. He wasn't able to partake in any games on the North American side of things but he was welcomed at the Scotiabank Arena, when he attended the season opener in 2022 as an honourary member.
Amirov had a bright future but was unfortunately dealt a tough hand when he was diagnosed with cancer. His memory will forever live with the Maple Leafs and it's fan base.
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