Former NHL Player Konstantin Koltsov Passes Away at 42 in Tragic Circumstances

Ex Hockey Player Konstantin Koltsov Dead at 42 After Apparent Suicide 232

Konstantin Koltsov. CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP via Getty Images

Konstantin Koltsov, a former Belarusian professional hockey player, has died at the age of 42.

The Miami-Dade Police Department is treating his death as an apparent suicide.

Miami-Dade P.D. informed us that on Monday, March 18, 2024, around 12:39 a.m., Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue responded to a report at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, located at 9703 Collins Avenue. The report was about a male who had jumped from a balcony.

The department mentioned that they do not suspect any foul play in this incident.

Koltsov, besides being a successful hockey player, was also dating the world No. 2 tennis star Aryna Sabalenka. He was in town to show his support for his girlfriend at the Miami Open, where Sabalenka was set to play her first match on Friday, March 22.

According to Tennis Channel, Sabalenka, who is 25 years old, will still be part of the tournament but will not be participating in any press activities.

The couple made their relationship official in June 2021 when Sabalenka shared a photo on Instagram. In the caption, she expressed, “It’s nice to have someone who can handle my craziness.” Alongside the photo of Koltsov kissing her cheek, she added, “At least you won’t get bored with me, right?”

Ex Hockey Player Konstantin Koltsov Dead at 42 After Apparent Suicide 231

Aryna Sabalenka shared a photo on Instagram in May 2023 to celebrate her win at the Mutua Madrid Open. In the picture, her coach Koltsov and her team can be seen lifting her off the ground in celebration of her victory.

Condolences and tributes for Konstantin Koltsov poured in following his passing. The Pittsburgh Penguins, the NHL team he played for, also expressed their deepest sympathies for his family and friends. Koltsov, a Belarus native, was the Penguins' first-round draft pick in 1999 and played for the team from 2003 to 2006, participating in 144 NHL games. He was a teammate of hockey legends Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux during the 2005-06 season.

Crosby, who is 36 years old, fondly recalled his former teammate who played 60 games with the Penguins when Crosby was a rookie.

"He was such a fast skater," the two-time MVP shared with NHL.com. "He had great strength and was a wonderful person to have around. In our first year together, our team may not have been the strongest, but we had an amazing group and he was a valuable part of that. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family."

Koltsov was also a two-time Olympian, representing Belarus at both the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics.

Editor's P/S:

The tragic demise of Konstantin Koltsov at the tender age of 42 is a stark reminder of the fragility of life. His passing has sent shockwaves through the hockey community and beyond, leaving an immeasurable void in the lives of his loved ones. As a former professional hockey player and the beloved partner of tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, Koltsov's death is a poignant loss for both the sports world and those who knew him personally. The circumstances surrounding his death, ruled as an apparent suicide by authorities, add a layer of heartbreak to this already devastating event.

Koltsov's untimely death has prompted an outpouring of grief and tributes from those who knew him. His former teammates, including hockey legends Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux, have expressed their profound sadness and shared fond memories of their time spent with him. The Pittsburgh Penguins, the NHL team Koltsov played for, have extended their deepest sympathies to his family and friends. The sports community and beyond will undoubtedly feel the loss of this talented athlete and devoted partner. His legacy will live on through the memories of those who knew him and the impact he made on the lives he touched.