Rodion Amirov

Rodion Ruslanovich Amirov (Родион Русланович Амиров; Родион Руслан улы Әмиров; 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.

Playing career
Amirov 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.

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.

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

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. In 10 KHL games that season, he totaled one goal and three points.

Illness and death
On 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.

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. Afterward, Amirov returned to his family home in Ufa to continue treatment. At this point, his treatment left him unable to train; according to his father Ruslan, the doctors had deemed the cancer inoperable, and Rodion was given between three to six months to live.

For the last eight months of his life, Amirov was rendered blind from the cancer, as it had spread to his optic nerve. Despite his vision loss and his time away from hockey, Amirov signed a one-year contract extension with Salavat Yulaev on 10 May 2023. Amirov died on 14 August 2023, in Munich, Germany, where he was receiving treatment. His death was announced that day, by Milstein via Twitter.