Rodion Ruslanovich Amirov (Russian: Родион Русланович Амиров; Bashkir: Родион Руслан улы Әмиров, romanized: Rodion Ruslan ulı Ämirov; 2 October 2001 – 14 August 2023) was a Russian professional ice hockey forward who played with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). He was drafted in the first round, 15th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.[1]
| Rodion Amirov | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
| Born |
2 October 2001 Salavat, Russia | ||
| Died |
14 August 2023 (aged 21) Munich, Germany | ||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||
| Weight | 168 lb (76 kg; 12 st 0 lb) | ||
| Position | Left wing | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Salavat Yulaev Ufa | ||
| NHL draft |
15th overall, 2020 Toronto Maple Leafs | ||
| Playing career | 2019–2021 | ||
Playing career
editAmirov played youth hockey within the system of his hometown club, Salavat Yulaev Ufa. He appeared for their Junior Hockey League (Russia) (MHL) affiliate, Tolpar Ufa, and their Supreme Hockey League (VHL) affiliate Toros Neftekamsk, before making his debut with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the top-level Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) during the 2019–20 season. In October 2020, Amirov was selected 15th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the pandemic-delayed 2020 NHL Entry Draft.[2]
As a 19-year-old in his second KHL season, Amirov appeared in a career-high 39 games for Salavat Yulaev during the 2020–21 season. His nine goals and 13 points ranked third among under-20 skaters in the league. In nine playoff games, however, he did not record a point.[3][4]
On 15 April 2021, Amirov agreed to a three-year entry-level contract with the Leafs. He moved to Toronto for the spring and worked with the Leafs' development staff, but did not appear in any games for the Leafs or their minor league affiliates. While in Toronto, he lived with fellow Russian Leafs prospect Semyon Der-Arguchintsev[5][6]
Amirov returned to Russia for the 2021–22 season. From 29 September to 6 December 2021, he did not play any KHL games due to a shoulder injury. He recorded an assist in his return to the Ufa lineup, despite playing barely more than one minute. He did not play at all in the next two games.[6][7] In 10 KHL games that season, he totaled one goal and three points.[4]
Illness and death
editOn 22 February 2022, Amirov's agent, Dan Milstein, announced on Twitter that Amirov had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and was undergoing treatment. The announcement shared that Amirov was receiving treatment in Germany and was skating and working out regularly. Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas confirmed the report the next day.[8]
In the fall of 2022, Amirov received chemotherapy in Toronto, and attended the Maple Leafs' season opener against the Washington Capitals, where he was announced as an honorary member of the roster.[9] Afterward, Amirov returned to his family home in Ufa to continue treatment. At this point, his treatment left him unable to train;[10] according to his father Ruslan, the doctors had deemed the cancer inoperable,[11] and Rodion was given between three and six months to live.[12]
For the last eight months of his life, Amirov was rendered blind from the cancer, as it had spread to his optic nerve.[11] Despite his vision loss and his time away from hockey, Amirov signed a one-year contract extension with Salavat Yulaev on 10 May 2023.[13] Amirov died on 14 August 2023, in Munich, Germany, where he was receiving treatment. His death was announced that day, by Milstein via Twitter.[3][9]
Career statistics
editRegular season and playoffs
edit| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 2017–18 | Tolpar Ufa | MHL | 12 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2018–19 | Tolpar Ufa | MHL | 31 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 2019–20 | Tolpar Ufa | MHL | 17 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 31 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2019–20 | Salavat Yulaev Ufa | KHL | 21 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2019–20 | Toros Neftekamsk | VHL | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21 | Salavat Yulaev Ufa | KHL | 39 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 2020–21 | Toros Neftekamsk | VHL | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2020–21 | Tolpa Ufa | MHL | — | — | — | — | — | 5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2021–22 | Salavat Yulaev Ufa | KHL | 10 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2021–22 | Toros Neftekamsk | VHL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| KHL totals | 70 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | ||||
International
edit| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  Russia
| ||
| Men's ice hockey | ||
| World U18 Championships | ||
 |
2019 Sweden | |
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Russia | HG18 | 
|
5 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2018 | Russia | WJAC | 
|
6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | |
| 2019 | Russia | U18 |
|
7 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2021 | Russia | WJC | 4th | 7 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | |
| Junior totals | 25 | 10 | 10 | 20 | 6 | ||||
Awards and honours
edit| Award | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| International | ||
| World U18 Championship – Media All-Star Team | 2019 | [14] |
References
edit- ^ "National team's hero and KHL rookie. Rodion Amirov's success story : News : Kontinental Hockey League (KHL)". en.khl.ru. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
- ^ "Maple Leafs take Rodion Amirov with 15th overall pick". theScore.com. the Score. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Leafs prospect Amirov dead at 21". TSN. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ a b "Rodion Amirov". eliteprospects.net. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "Maple Leafs sign Rodion Amirov to Entry Level contract". Toronto Maple Leafs. 15 April 2021. Retrieved 15 April 2021.
- ^ a b Kloke, Joshua (11 December 2021). "The curious case of Rodion Amirov: Why isn't the Maple Leafs prospect playing more in Russia?". theathletic.com. The Athletic. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Parsons Sr., Jim (13 December 2021). "Maple Leafs News & Rumors: Rubins, Seney, Amirov, Dahlstrom & Holl". thehockeywriters.com. The Hockey Writers. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ Neufeld, Abby (23 February 2022). "20-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs prospect diagnosed with brain tumour". CTV News Toronto. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Former Maple Leafs first-round pick Rodion Amirov passes away at 21". Sportsnet. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ "Maple Leafs prospect Amirov returns home to continue treatments for brain tumour". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
- ^ a b Hornby, Lance (12 September 2023). "Rodion Amirov's father relays emotional message of thanks after Leafs prospect's death". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ McGran, Kevin (13 September 2023). "Father of late Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov has a message for fans". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 29 June 2024. Retrieved 29 June 2024.
- ^ "Salavat extends contract with Rodion Amirov" (in Russian). Salavat Yulaev Ufa. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
- ^ Aykroyd, Lucas (28 April 2019). "Caufield named MVP". International Ice Hockey Federation. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
External links
edit- Biographical information and career statistics from NHL.com, or Eliteprospects.com, or Eurohockey.com, or The Internet Hockey Database