Toronto selected Rodion Amirov, a Salavat, Russia, native, with the 15th pick in the 2020 NHL draft.
![Milstein] It is we great sadness that we announce the passing of Rodion Amirov. Two years ago, Rodion was diagnosed with a brain tumour. : r/hockey](https://external-preview.redd.it/milstein-it-is-we-great-sadness-that-we-announce-the-v0-DLFFz8Snj0s6gOJF8Kb_Vq8i6KNWYDqc3S7AWf6cbNw.jpg?auto=webp&s=ccdeba16484a9f612acf46fdb6753949423af8d6)
Prospect Rodion Amirov of the Toronto Maple Leafs passed away less than two years after receiving a brain tumor diagnosis. He was 21.
The Associated Press was informed by agent Dan Milstein that Amirov passed away on Monday in Munich, Germany. The team announced in February 2022 that Amirov had a brain tumor and would have treatment in Germany in the hopes that he would eventually be able to resume his hockey career.
“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 said in a message posted on social media in English and Russian. “We will always remember his courage, his desire, his will, his smile — all of the great things about him.”
As well as thanking the medical professionals who treated Amirov, Milstein also acknowledged Salavat Yulayev Ufa of the KHL and the Toronto Maple Leafs, who “did everything possible to help in any way.”
The Maple Leafs claimed that learning of Amirov’s passing had saddened their team.
“Over the duration of his courageous battle, Rodin’s positively inspired everyone around him and made lasting impressions with our team and fans in his brief visits to Toronto,” team president Brendan Shanahan said. “It’s incredibly sad to see a young man with so much promise taken from us so soon.”
With the fifteenth overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Toronto selected Amirov. Before suffering an injury 10 games into the 2021 KHL season, the Russian native of Salavat was competing with his home team.
Kyle Dubas, the general manager at the time, claimed that during Amirov’s rehabilitation, he experienced unrelated symptoms that necessitated “ongoing extensive investigations.” Amirov earned a standing ovation on October 14 during a Leafs game against the Washington Capitals. Amirov underwent four rounds of chemotherapy in Toronto last year.