The 2020 NHL Playoffs will forever connect the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Columbus Blue Jackets. After multiple back and forth outcomes in the games and miniature best of 5 series, the Blue Jackets prevailed.
Columbus went onto the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs to be trucked by the eventual back to back Stanley Cup Champions - the Tampa Bay Lightning, with the notable multiple overtime game in the playoff bubble.
That draft, Columbus went off the board and drafted a young undervalued Russian winger in the name of Yegor Chinakov at pick 21. He was in most scouts’ late round rankings or not on the list.
Toronto, the losers of the series, settled in the top half of the draft class, and selected Russian center Rodion Amirov.
Today, we found out the tragedy.
It is we great sadness that we announce the passing of Rodion Amirov. Two years ago, Rodion was diagnosed with a brain tumour. From the moment he received the news, he refused to speak in the negative, determined to enjoy every day, facing it with the same positive attitude he… pic.twitter.com/ye6TdAjGZc
— Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) August 14, 2023
Sending our love and condolences to Rodion’s family, loved ones and the entire @MapleLeafs community
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) August 14, 2023
21 years young.
Way too soon.
My heart breaks for the organization and the family of Amirov in this difficult time.
This series will now forever connect us. If this becomes the year they win it, the motivation and emotion is here…
Another note for a Columbus and Toronto connection - Amirov and goalie Danil Tarasov were teammates in developmental in the VHL and on the main roster KHL. Tarasov played 16 games for UFA Salavat Yulayev of the KHL with Amirov in 2020-2021 before joining Cleveland.
May he be honored the right way…