In recent days, the field hockey world has learned of the death of Rodin Amirov. We’re talking about a first-round draft pick of the Maple Leafs, who unfortunately succumbed to brain cancer.
For the Maple Leafs, it created a stir. The same goes for Pittsburgh, given that Kyle Dubas drafted the young Russian.
The bottom line is that the Leafs prospect was not only talented, but had a great attitude. Even though he couldn’t see at the end of his life and couldn’t walk, he cared about others and kept smiling.
He was also hoping to play in the Maple Leafs’ warm-up games.
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The youngster was drafted one spot ahead of Kaiden Guhle, and unfortunately, he has officially become the only player in the top-19 of his draft (2020) never to have played a single game in the NHL.
Sad, of course.
That said, his impact on field hockey will never be forgotten. Why? Because his KHL club (Salavat Yulaev Ufa) has decided to retire his number 27, in honour of his career, but more importantly, his life.
The Championat website was the first to report it.
Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL will retire Rodion Amirov’s No. 27, per @championat. pic.twitter.com/HkyMvBFQLM
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 18, 2023
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Of course, when you look at his stats, you quickly realize that it’s not because of his performance on the ice that his number will be retired.
With 18 points in three seasons (from 2019 to 2022, he didn’t play in 2022-2023), the forward hasn’t broken anything.
But you know as well as I do that you don’t retire a 21-year-old’s number in a league like the KHL for what he did on the ice. It’s a much bigger gesture than that.
Well done, then.
In bursts
– He’s not to blame.
Some people just don’t seem to know what to come up with to make themselves interesting anymore. https://t.co/v04cHFOj7x
– Passion MLB (@passion_mlb) August 18, 2023
– Hard blow for the Montreal CF.
Expect Rudy Camacho to sign new multi year deal with @ColumbusCrew in the next few days. #Crew96
—
Expect Rudy Camacho to sign a new multi-year deal with Columbus soon.– Jeremy Filosa 🎙 (@JeremyFilosa) August 18, 2023
– Can’t wait to see his role this season.
Happy Birthday Strauss!
Happy Birthday Strauss 🥳 pic.twitter.com/YVlrZ2eCyF– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) August 18, 2023