Konstantin Koltsov Tragically Dies at Age 42
Former Pittsburgh Penguin and Belarus hockey icon, Konstantin Koltsov (drafted 18th overall in the 1999 NHL draft), has tragically passed away at the age of 42 years old.
It was just announced by Hockey News Hub, a top source for KHL hockey information, that former Pittsburgh Penguin Konstantin Koltsov has passed away at 42 years old.
RIP Konstantin Koltsov 🙏 #Salavat #LetsGoPens
42 is far too young. Man.
42 is far too young. Man.
The report was also confirmed by BelarusHockey.com.
According to unconfirmed information, former #LetsGoPens📷 player Konstantin Koltsov passed away at the age of 42.
Koltsov was in the United States (Miami)
Koltsov is the boyfriend of the star tennis player Aryna Sabalenka.
Koltsov was in the United States (Miami)
Koltsov is the boyfriend of the star tennis player Aryna Sabalenka.
Konstantin Koltsov played for teams such as "Yunost", Minsk's "Dynamo", "Severstal", "Ak Bars", "Spartak", and other Russian clubs. He spent time with the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins from 2002 to 2006, appearing in 144 games (ranking 7th among Belarusian hockey players), scoring 12 goals, and providing 26 assists.
Representing the Belarus national team, Koltsov played in 123 matches, scoring a total of 55 points (34 goals and 21 assists). Since 2017, he transitioned into coaching, most recently serving as an assistant coach for "Salavat Yulaev" in Ufa, Bashkortostan.
Representing the Belarus national team, Koltsov played in 123 matches, scoring a total of 55 points (34 goals and 21 assists). Since 2017, he transitioned into coaching, most recently serving as an assistant coach for "Salavat Yulaev" in Ufa, Bashkortostan.
Koltsov began his impressive hockey career playing in the top leagues in 1999, his draft year. That year he played in 33 games in Russia's top league. From there, his performance was impressive enough to warrant a selection in the first round of that year's draft going 18th overall to the Penguins.
In the following three years, he bounced around top leagues in Russia and Belarus playing for Metallurg Novokuznetsk, Ak Bars Kazan, and Spartak Moskva. He struggled to find point production but he did prove to still be a top prospect heading to North America soon after.
Koltsov originally came over to North America to play for the Penguins in 2002-2003. He stayed with the franchise bouncing between the NHL and AHL (with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins) till 2006. Through his brief NHL career Koltsov played in 144 career games notching 12 goals and 38 points. In 2007, he called it quits on his NHL career moving back home to play in the KHL.
After Konstantin Koltsov's NHL career with the Pittsburgh Penguins ended prematurely, he had a lengthy KHL. A native of Belarus, Konstantin Koltsov captained his home nation at the highest level during the World Championship in 2012-13. Koltsov also participated in the Olympics during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
It is currently unknown what the cause of death for Konstantin Koltsov is but considering how he was on vacation in the United States and so young, it certainly must have been an accident of some sort.
He is survived by his girlfriend Aryna Sabalenka, a professional Tennis player. Our thoughts go out to his loved ones during this trying time. May he rest in peace.
As seen on Markerzone - Former Pittsburgh Penguin Konstantin Koltsov Tragically Passes Away at 42
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