Maple Leafs Prospect Rodion Amirov Remembered on Anniversary of His Tragic Passing
Photo credit: Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva
Two years after his tragic passing, former Toronto Maple Leafs first-round pick Rodion Amirov is fondly remembered by fans and teammates alike.
Leafs fans are remembering former prospect Rodion Amirov, who passed away two years ago from cancer.
Amirov was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, 15th overall.
The Russian winger had suited up in 20 games in the KHL for Salavat Yulaev Ufa as a draft prospect, as well as five games in the second tier VHL. With UFA's farm system, Amirov had 10 goals and 22 points in 17 games.
Amirov would play two full seasons in the KHL for Ufa, where he would become of the Leafs top prospects and a player who could one day be an NHLer.
Amirov's most impressive movement came at the 2021 World Juniors where he led the Russians in scoring with six points in seven games as they finished fourth in the tournament.
After 10 games in the 2021-22 KHL season, Amirov was ruled out due to a shoulder injury. Shortly after this time, some unknown issues presented themselves to Amirov that had come about, seemingly unrelated to his injury.
Testing found a brain tumor which was found to be cancerous, this would shut down Amirov from the team with him being sent to Germany for treatment.
Remembering Amirov's Talent, Character, and Impact on the Leafs Organization
Despite being away from the team, Amirov had continued to get contracts from Ufa to continue his career, with him hoping to return to Hockey once his cancer was defeated.
On July 30th, 2023, Ufa director Rinat Bashirov said he believed Amirov would return to the team, having "full confidence" in him playing again, this was not to be the case.
15 days later, Rodion Amirov passed away from his cancer in a hospital in Germany, he was just 23.
The truth was far more depressing, Amirov had not been recovering, and was in a losing battle with the cancer. Despite hopeful optimism, Amirov was not going to recover. Despite this, his team continued to pay him and treated him as part of the roster.
Ufa retired Amirov's no. 27 jersey, forever immortalizing the youngster in the team's history, and honoring his battle with brain cancer, and the talent taken far too soon.
The Toronto Maple Leafs expressed their condolences upon his passing, with then-Leafs president Brendan Shanahan saying "the entire Leafs organization is devastating by this tragic loss".
Amirov was well enough in October of 2022 to travel to Toronto to attend the Leafs home opener, where he was honored and given a round of applause from the adoring fans, rallying alongside him in his battle.
It is but a wonder what Amirov could have been for Toronto as a player. Russia has been a weak spot for Toronto in getting NHLers, but there's a real chance Amirov could have been the exception.
Amirov was a top prospect who had the potential to make the league. After his passing, Amirov was featured as a Leafs top prospect by 'The Hockey News', written before his death, ranked 7th.
Rodion Amirov's Legacy Still Resonates With Fans Today
Amirov continues to be remembered on the anniversary of his death, noted as a player who's promise and talent shone brightly, but fate ripped him from achieving making it onto the biggest stage.
A player who today could be an NHLer, Amirov's dream was taken by circumstances beyond his control, and robbed him of what had been worked towards all his life, a childhood dream of playing in the NHL.
Of some solace, Amirov reached one personal goal of playing in the KHL, being able to suit up for his childhood team in his country's highest level, and being an impactful player in his national team's sweater.
Having gone blind near the end of his life, at the hospital in Munich, Amirov spoke to his father about what he sees now that he is blind.
I see ice all the time, and there is a game. I am playing Hockey.
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