Retired NHL player from Belarus Konstantin Koltsov passes away at the age of 42.
- Tennis player Aryna Sabalenka was romantically involved with Koltsov.
- Olympian played between 2002 and 2006 for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Russian club, Salavat Yulaev, revealed in a statement on Tuesday that Konstantin Koltsov, the 42-year-old boyfriend of tennis player Aryna Sabalenka and a former professional ice hockey player from Belarus, had passed away.
On February 17, 1981, in Penza, Russia, Konstantin Koltsov was born. He was well-known on the pitch for his quickness and offensive prowess.
In the first round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Koltsov was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins with the 18th overall pick. Before going back to Russia to play in the KHL, he spent portions of four seasons with the Penguins.
Koltsov participated in a number of international tournaments for Russia during his career, including the IIHF World Championships. He went on to coaching and other positions in the sport of hockey after ending his career as a player.
Salavat Yulaev—a Ufa-based company—said in a statement:
It is with deep regret that we notify you of the passing of our coach, Konstantin Koltsov. People admired and respected him, including teammates, fans, and players. He was a powerful and upbeat individual. A permanent mark on our club’s history was left by Konstantin Evgenievich. I wish him a peaceful rest.
People magazine originally reported on Sabalenka and Koltsov’s relationship in June 2021, and the world’s number two has regularly shared pictures of both of them on her Instagram account.
Known for his swiftness on the ice, Koltsov recently rejoined the team as an assistant coach after helping Salavat Yulaev win the Russian Super League in 2008.
