The phrase "some things are bigger than hockey" rang true when Maple Leafs top prospect Rodion Amirov was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022. It rang true again when Amirov lost his courageous battle with cancer on August 14th, 2023.
Upon learning of Amirov's passing, the hockey world came together to mourn an impressive young man who fought bravely and relentlessly, despite the deadly disease robbing him of his ability to see, his dream of one day playing in the National Hockey League, and ultimately, his life.
There was a shrine of flowers, gifts and signs placed outside of Salavat Yulayev's home rink in Ufa, Russia. Salavat Yulayev raised Amirov's #27 to the rafters and over in North America, countless NHLers honoured Amirov's memory during Hockey Fights Cancer month, displaying Amirov's name on their cards of who they fight for.
Today, another phrase, "gone, but not forgotten," comes to mind, as Amirov's Salavat Yulayev teammates honoured him by visiting his grave site to lay flowers and pay their respects once again to their fallen teammate.
The love and respect that Amirov's teammates had for him lives long after his passing and it's truly heartwarming to see Salavat Yulayev putting forth an effort to honour his memory like this. If there is a heaven, you just know that Amirov was smiling down on his teammates, reciprocating their love and respect, as they laid flowers as a tribute to the 21-year-old who was lost far too soon.
