Tragically, Konstantin Koltsov passes away at 42 years of age

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Joshua Deeds
March 19, 2024 (7:34 PM)

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Former Pittsburgh Penguin, who was drafted in 1999, passed away at the young age of 42. Konstantin Koltsov, a Belarusian hockey icon, has been reported to have passed away by Hockey News Hub, an online source of KHL news.

Koltsov's passing has always been confirmed by the website belarushockey.com as well.

From 1998 to 2002, Koltsov played in the Russian Super League with Cherepovets Severstal, before finishing his career in the KHL with Dynamo Minski in 2015-2016.

Over time, he would play in Belarussia before eventually making it to the NHL.

The Pittsburgh Penguins selected the winger 18th overall in the first round of the 1999 draft.

RIP Konstantin Koltsov #Salavat #LetsGoPens

42 is far too young. Man. pic.twitter.com/813bUdLID2� Hockey News Hub (@HockeyNewsHub) March 18, 2024

In 2002, the Belarussian winger arrived in America and reported to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He alternated between the NHL and AHL from 2002-2003.

During Koltsov's NHL career, he played 144 games, scoring 12 goals and 38 points. After quitting the NHL in 2007, he resigned to play in the KHL.

According to unconfirmed information, former #LetsGoPensplayer Konstantin Koltsov passed away at the age of 42.

Koltsov was in the United States (Miami)

Koltsov is the boyfriend of the star tennis player Aryna Sabalenka. pic.twitter.com/UhusFBxQho� Belarushockey.com (@Belarushockey) March 18, 2024

Konstantin Koltsov played for teams such as "Yunost", Minsk's "Dynamo", "Severstal", "Ak Bars", "Spartak", and other Russian clubs. He spent time with the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins from 2002 to 2006, appearing in 144 games (ranking 7th among Belarusian hockey players), scoring 12 goals, and providing 26 assists.

Representing the Belarus national team, Koltsov played in 123 matches, scoring a total of 55 points (34 goals and 21 assists). Since 2017, he transitioned into coaching, most recently serving as an assistant coach for "Salavat Yulaev" in Ufa, Bashkortostan.

Koltsov would also captain the Belarussian team in 2012-2013 at the IIHF World Hockey Championships. The previous two Olympic games he participated in were in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2002, and in Vancouver, BC, Canada, in 2010.

According to unconfirmed information, former #LetsGoPens player Konstantin Koltsov passed away at the age of 42.

Koltsov was in the United States (Miami)

Koltsov is the boyfriend of the star tennis player Aryna Sabalenka.

Although his cause of death has not been determined, there has been speculation that it may have been an accident considering how young he was.

As of right now, he is survived by his girlfriend, a professional tennis player named Aryna Sablenka. The Koltsov family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

RIP, Konstantin.

As Seen On: hockeypatrol.com