Fans of the early 2000s Penguins might recall Konstantin Koltsov, the Belarussian forward. Sadly, there's tragic news to share.
Former Pittsburgh Penguin and beloved Belarusian hockey star, Konstantin Koltsov, has sadly passed away at the age of 42.
Koltsov, who also had ties to tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, had an illustrious career. He played for various teams including "Yunost", Minsk's "Dynamo", "Severstal", "Ak Bars", and "Spartak" in Russia. In the NHL, he spent four seasons with the Penguins, playing 144 games and scoring 38 points.
Starting his career in 1999, Koltsov was drafted by the Penguins and later played in top leagues in Russia and Belarus before heading to North America. Although his NHL career ended in 2006, he continued to excel in the KHL.
The cause of his death remains unknown, but it appears to have occurred during a vacation in the United States. He leaves behind his girlfriend Aryna Sabalenka. Our condolences go out to his loved ones during this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
