The sports world, particularly ice hockey and tennis, is mourning his death following his death on Tuesday. Former Belarusian ice hockey player and coach Konstantin Koltsov, 42 years old, cause still unknown. as reported by Reuters News agency.
The news was confirmed by Salavat Yulaev, the Russian ice hockey club where Koltsov is currently the coach.
“With deep sadness we announce the passing of Salavat Yulaev coach Konstantin Koltsov. He was a strong and cheerful person, loved and respected by players and fans alike. Konstantin Koltsov Evgenievich has forever etched his story into this club. Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev, and did a great job as part of the team's coaching staff. The Yulaev Ice Hockey Club would like to express its deepest condolences to the family of Konstantin Evgenievich Koltsov.
Konstantin Koltsov's NHL career and beyond
Koltsov was a member of the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins roster from 2002 to 2006. (he had 9 goals and 20 assists in the 2003-2004 season) and participated in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics with the Belarusian national team. In 2008, he won the Russian Super League with Salavat Yulaev, and then returned to the league. Appointed to the club as an assistant coach.
Koltsov and tennis star Sabalenka
The news of Koltsov's death has had a deep impact on the tennis world. Koltsov was the partner of Belarusian tennis player Arina Sabalenka. He is currently one of the top-ranked players in the world and is the recent winner of the Australian Open. This tragedy marks another major setback in her personal life after she lost her father at the age of 43 in 2019.
