Konstantin Koltsov, former NHL player and tennis star Sabalenka’s boyfriend, dies at 42

The sports world, particularly ice hockey and tennis, is in mourning this Tuesday following the confirmation of the death of former Belarusian ice hockey player and coach Konstantin Koltsov at the age of 42, for causes that are still unknown, as reported by Reuters news agency.

The news was confirmed by Salavat Yulaev, a Russian ice hockey club where Koltsov currently served as a coach.

“With deep sadness, we inform you that our coach from Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away. He was a strong and cheerful person, beloved and respected by players and fans alike. Konstantin Evgenievich has forever inscribed his story in this club. Koltsov won the Russian championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev and did great work as part of the team’s coaching staff. The Salavat Yulaev ice hockey club expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Konstantin Evgenievich Koltsov.”

Konstantin Koltsov career in NHL and beyond

Koltsov, who was part of the Pittsburgh Penguins’ roster in the NHL between 2002 and 2006 (shining in the 2003-2004 season with nine goals and 20 assists), competed with the Belarusian national team in the Winter Olympics of Salt Lake City 2002 and Vancouver 2010. He won the Russian Superleague with Salavat Yulaev in 2008 and later returned to the club as an assistant coach.

Koltsov and tennis star Sabalenka

The news of Koltsov’s death also deeply affects the world of tennis, as Koltsov was the partner of Belarusian tennis player Aryna Sabalenka, one of the top-ranked players in the world at present and the winner of the recent Australian Open. This tragedy marks another significant setback in her personal life, following the loss of her father in 2019 when he was 43 years old.