The Toronto Maple Leafs got some really good news this past week. Rodion Amirov Is taking part in his KHL team’s road trip.
Why Is This Good News?
Let’s start with why this is really good news. And, it’s good news as much from a human level as it is from a hockey level. The Maple Leafs’ prospect’s KHL HC Salavat Yulaev team announced on Friday that Amirov had joined for a season-opening road trip.
This sort of announcement happens regularly because hockey players suffer injuries. However, in this case, it wasn’t an injury. Instead, the young Amirov had last season been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Amirov’s Background to the Recent Announcement
The Maple Leafs had announced earlier last season that doctors had discovered the tumor while Amirov was undergoing treatment for another injury that was unrelated. Amirov received treatment for the tumor in Germany and at that time had to shut down his playing for the rest of last season.
When he was first diagnosed, Amirov told Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman: “I want to stay positive, and I want people to think positively about me.”
Amirov added that “there are many other people that have their own sicknesses or illnesses. I want to show by example that I can give people hope.”
If Amirov Is Getting Better, Why Won’t He Be Playing Soon?
Although news about the road trip is positive, it doesn’t mean that Amirov will immediately play. According to the team’s Instagram account (as David Alter reported), he was not in the lineup when Salavat played SKA St. Petersburg on Saturday. As an interesting aside, however, for Maple Leafs fans, Josh Ho-Sang made his debut with the club.
In an interview in Russia last month, Amirov said he hoped to return in November or December.
Obviously, that Amirov isn’t playing this quickly is not in itself problematic. It would naturally take him time to re-adjust to playing professional hockey again in a league as high-leveled as the KHL. But the fact that there’s a plan in place is really solid news.
What Does This All Mean for Maple Leafs Fans?
Amirov, who’s now 20 years old, was a first-round draft pick (15th overall) by the Maple Leafs in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The news does more than suggest that the treatment worked. From a health point of view, although no one knows if Amirov faces clear sailing, all the signs are positive.
From a hockey point of view, from a practical point of view, the Maple Leafs and Amirov’s KHL club extended Amirov’s loan for the 2022-23 season. It also looks as if, as Amirov announced, he’s going to play this season.
The Bottom Line – Good News All the Way Around for Amirov
If things go well, when the one-season loan is completed, it would be logical to guess that Amirov would come to North America for the 2023-24 season.
This announcement of Amirov heading out on the road trip is great news for him. Most important, even more than ever playing hockey again is his health. However, the day he suits up for the Toronto Marlies will be a special day for the organization.
Good news, all the way around!
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