Salavat Yulaev is remembering Rodion Amirov in a very special way following his passing.
Amirov's agent, Dan Milstein, confirmed to The Hockey News that the Ufa club will retire the 21-year-old's number 27 this season.
This news comes as the hockey world continues to mourn the loss of the promising young man. A number of people throughout the NHL and KHL expressed their condolences following Amirov's death.
Most recently, former Ufa teammate and Toronto native, Josh Ho-Sang, remembered the 21-year-old in an Instagram story.
"He smiled in the face of danger, he smiled when the odds were stacked against him, he smiled even when he had every reason not to," Ho-Sang said.
"What I choose to remember about Rodi is that he never let anything define him, he is a hero, a son, a hockey player but most of all he is someone who gave the world hope."
It's being reported that Salavat's captain, Grigori Panin, was the one who came up with the idea of retiring Amirov's number.
Amirov, selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round (15th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft, died earlier this week following a two-year battle with a brain tumor. He was just 21.
The KHL club continues to mourn his passing with tributes.
Related
Michael Bunting Not Offered Contract By Maple Leafs Before Signing With Hurricanes
Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #2 - Roni Hirvonen
Maple Leafs Prospect Rankings #3 - Fraser Minten
News from THN.com
For the Leafs' TJ Brodie and Wife Amber, Thursday's A&W Fundraiser Is Personal
Who Are the NHL’s Best Bottom-Six Forwards?
EA Sports Names Cheryl Pounder as New Color Commentator in NHL 24
More must-reads: