Maple Leafs pay tribute to late Rodion Amirov

During the first period of Thursday’s game against the New Jersey Devils, the Toronto Maple Leafs paid tribute to the late Rodion Amirov, who died last August.

Amirov’s family was in attendance for Thursday’s game and received a standing ovation upon being recognized on the scoreboard.

Amirov was diagnosed with a brain tumour and was receiving treatment at the time of his death. He was 21 years old.

Toronto selected Amirov with the 15th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft and he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Maple Leafs in April 2021.

“It’s incredibly hard to comprehend the loss of Rodion,” Maple Leafs captain John Tavares wrote after Amirov died. “His smile and joy for life and hockey was infectious. My teammates and I are grateful for our time spent with him and forever inspired by his courageous fight. Condolences to his loved ones. We’ll miss him dearly.”

Former Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas revealed in February 2022 that Amirov was diagnosed with a brain tumour and was undergoing treatment, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

“The entire Maple Leafs organization is devastated by this tragic loss,” Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan wrote. “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.”

Amirov’s father, Ruslan thanked the Maple Leafs organization and fans in September 2023 for their support. Ruslan Amirov specifically mentioned Dubas, Shanahan and Rodion’s agent, Dan Milstein for their support in an interview with Russian outlet Match TV.

“My main motivation for giving an interview, as a father and a witness to everything that happened to my son, is to thank people from the bottom of my heart,” Ruslan Amirov said to Match TV via Google Translate. “Thank you from our family and from Rodion, although he himself can no longer express it in words.

“We thank you for the attention and participation that the hockey community, clubs and organizations and fans have given us. Thanks to the Toronto Maple Leafs, personally to Brendan Shanahan and Kyle Dubas. For the way they accepted Rodion, empathized and participated in his fate.”