Maple Leafs’ Rodion Amirov reportedly making progress in cancer recovery

One of the scariest pieces of NHL news in recent memory came across the wire in February 2022, when then-Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas revealed that 2020 first-round pick Rodion Amirov had been diagnosed with a brain tumor. The 21-year-old winger has not played hockey since and continues on a long road to what is hopefully a full recovery.

There hasn’t been much news on Amirov’s health since the end of last year when he went to Toronto to attend the team’s Hockey Fights Cancer night in November and returned to Russia to continue treatment shortly after and could not train. At the time, it was viewed as a setback in his recovery – Amirov said in an interview earlier that summer he was hoping to return to the ice by that time.

However, there is some positive news regarding the young forward’s health. Rinat Bashirov, the director of sport for Amirov’s KHL team, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, told Russian outlet Sport-Express that there’s a “positive trend” in Amirov’s recovery, but he’s continuing treatment. According to Bashirov (albeit a translated quote), Ufa believes Amirov will return to the ice at some point, although there’s no clear timeline.

Amirov reportedly signed a one-year contract extension with Ufa earlier this summer, allowing him to remain closely tied with the club and pursue treatment with its guidance. He also remains under contract with the Maple Leafs, although his three-year, entry-level contract expires next summer.

PHR extends its best wishes for Amirov’s long-term health and positive recovery.