The Toronto Maple Leafs organization spent much of Monday mourning the loss of one of their own.
Rodion Amirov, the club’s first-round draft pick in 2020 (15th overall) passed away at the age of 21, less than two years after a brain tumor diagnosis.
The Russian never played a game for the Maple Leafs. But the impact he made in his short time with the club was immeasurable, as seen by the reaction from many staff and players from the organization.
Shortly after Amirov's agent, Dan Milstein, delivered the news of his client's tragic passing, several members of the Maple Leafs — past and present — shared their thoughts.
"Over the duration of his courageous battle, Rodion’s positivity inspired everyone around him, and he made lasting impressions with our team and fans in his brief visits to Toronto," Maple Leafs president and alternate governor Brendan Shahan said in a statement. "It’s incredibly sad to see a young man with so much promise taken from us so soon."
When the Maple Leafs learned of Amirov's diagnosis during the 2021-22 NHL season, team captain John Tavares arranged for an on-ice video message for Amirov in a show of support.
Amirov was drafted under then-general manager Kyle Dubas. The Pittsburgh Penguins president of hockey operations and general manager spoke of Amirov's positivity throughout his entire battle.
"Personally, I am so sad for the loss of such a wonderful young man with so much potential," Dubas said. "His unabashed positivity - even when faced with an awful diagnosis - will stay with me forever.
"Rodion was such an example of courage and I am certain that his spirit has touched and will live on in everyone lucky enough to have known him."
Amirov spent his professional hockey career in the Kontinental Hockey League with Salavat Yulaev Ufa. The KHL honored Amirov's memory before a game between clubs Ak Bars and Traktor.
Amirov visited the Maple Leafs and attended the 2022-23 season opener as a guest of honor. After the game, Maple Leafs goaltender Ilya Samsonov introduced Amirov to Washington Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin.
"Alex, he's nice guy," Samsonov told Dave McCarthy of NHL.com. "He's so friendly with the hockey group ... he came right away to meet with Rodion. He said, 'Good luck, best of luck and Rodion, if you need anything, just to call me.' He just offered support. I think that's nice for Rodion, and he really likes how 'Ovi' plays. So now Rodion has Ovi's number and if not, he texts me and I'll get it figured out with Ovi."
The following month, Ovechkin and Capitals teammate Evgeny Kuznetsov honored Amirov during their Hockey Fights Cancer game.
Several more Maple Leafs took their respective social media accounts to react to Amirov's passing and more will be added to this post as they come.
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