Rodion Amirov will probably never play field hockey again

In the 2020 draft, the Maple Leafs selected Russian forward Rodion Amirov 15th overall. This opened the door for the Habs to draft a certain Kaiden Guhle, one of Marc Bergevin’s last first-round picks.

In the end, despite the fans’ initial displeasure, it turned out to be a very good pick.

Why do I mention Rodion Amirov, the Leafs’ prospect? Because in 2022, let’s not forget, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Today, we learned from Kyle Cushman, a columnist for TheScore, that the prospect will probably never play again.

For now, he can be with the team, he has access to the training staff, including the doctors, but he still doesn’t have the green light to return to action on the ice. Last year, he played 10 games in Russia’s top league and collected three points. At just 21, he’s a talented player, which is why the Leafs set their sights on him so early in the 2020 auction.

Unfortunately, illness decided otherwise, and that’s a real shame.

The year before he was drafted, he had two points in 21 KHL games. That’s not extraordinary, but to play in this league at 18 is a feat in itself.

Amirov has glioblastoma to be precise. Less than 10% of people with this disease live beyond the age of five. So it’s highly unlikely that he’ll ever play field hockey again, at any level. In Canada, according to statistics from the Canadian Cancer Society, 22% of people diagnosed with a brain tumor live longer than five years.

It’s a real shame for the youngster, who won’t be playing field hockey any more, but will have to fight to stay alive. The rest is meaningless…

Breaking news

– This is unfortunate. Bronny James should be drafted next year.

– Another nice testimonial on Patrice Bergeron.

– Yes.

– Jakub Voracek is an entertaining guy.

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– Nice piece on the former Blackhawks owner, who just lost his life.