Toronto Maple Leafs honor late prospect Amirov with touching tribute

Russian forward died from brain tumor last August

Leafs prospect family

© Sportsnet

By Anna Kulesa
@akulesa_ NHL.com Staff Writer

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a touching tribute on Thursday during their game against the New Jersey Devils. The team honored late prospect Rodion Amirov with his family in attendance at Scotiabank Arena.

His family wore his No. 20 jersey as they teared up from the tribute video. Maple Leafs fans and players from both teams gave the family a standing ovation.

Amirov was drafted by the Maple Leafs 15th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. In April 2021, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with Toronto. He returned to Russia to play for the Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL for 2021-22 season.

The Russian forward was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February 2022. He died last August at the age 21.

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