Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Rodion Amirov returns home to family, continues cancer treatment
Rodion Amirov has returned home to be with his family and is undergoing additional treatments, his agent Dan Milstein said Tuesday.
The Leafs prospect, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in February 2022, had joined the team in early October and was taking part in off-ice activities.
Now, Milstein said in a statement Tuesday that Amirov is unable to train.
“Rodion Amirov has returned home and is with his family,” Milstein tweeted. “Unfortunately, at the moment Rodion cannot train, as he is undergoing additional treatments.
“We would like to thank the Toronto Maple Leafs and Salavat Yualev UFA for their incredible support and willingness to do every necessary for Rodion’s comfort.”
Update re: Rodion Amirov #WeAreGoldStar! pic.twitter.com/iZzbJR5aHh
— Dan Milstein-Hockey (@HockeyAgent1) November 8, 2022Drafted by the Leafs 15th overall in 2020, Amirov had suffered an injury at the beginning of the following season and began developing new, unrelated symptoms. It was at that point a malignant tumor was found.
When the Leafs brought Amirov around the organization last month, head coach Sheldon Keefe said they were happy to have him around.
“He’s around the facility. It’s really nice to have him,” Keefe said at the time. “We wanted him to be a part of things and having some experiences with our with our team.
“To be here and still a big smile on his face, in the facility every single day. He’s got the ultimate battle ahead of him here and he’s right in the thick of it.
“His spirits are up, but obviously he’s got a big fight ahead of him. He is right in the thick of it. He’s working with our training staff, in the gym and hasn’t on the ice here yet with us but we’re excited to have him around and experience what it’s like here in the NHL.”
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.