Konstantin Koltsov, a former Pittsburgh Penguins right winger, died at the young age of 42, his Russian club Salavat Yulaev reported on Telegram.
“With deep sorrow we inform you that Salavat Yulaev coach Konstantin Koltsov has passed away,” the team wrote in a Tuesday morning Telegram post.
“He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans,” the statement continued.
Koltsov was a first round draft pick by the Penguins in the 1999 NHL Draft and represented his home nation Belarus’ national hockey team twice in the Winter Olympics, according to People.
VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 19: Konstantin Koltsov #28 of Belarus challenges Tobias Enstrom #39 of Sweden for the puck during the ice hockey men’s preliminary game on day 8 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey Place on February 19, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. Jamie Squire/Getty Images
UNIONDALE, NY – APRIL 15: Konstantin Koltsov #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates for the puck during the game against the New York Islanders on April 15, 2006 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
TORONTO – APRIL 18: Konstantin Koltsov #71 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre on April 18, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Leafs defeated the Penguins 5-3. Dave Sandford/Getty Images
He died in Miami while there with his girlfriend, Belarusian tennis star 25-year-old Aryna Sabalenka, the Independent reported. Sabalenka was reportedly preparing to compete in the Miami Open where she’s slated to play on Friday.
Koltsov had been working as a coach for the Russian hockey club Salavat Yulaev, according to the team’s post. (RELATED: Tennis Player Yells At Heckling Fan, Refuses To Continue Match Until He Leaves)
Reports of Koltsov and Sabalenka dating first emerged in June 2021, People reported. Sabalenka, the world’s number two ranked female tennis star, is also reportedly native to Koltsov’s Belarus. The pair made for a massive couple as Koltsov was six feet and one inch tall, and Sabalenka measures in at a healthy six feet flat.
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: Aryna Sabalenka plays a backhand against Emma Navarro of the United States in their fourth round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 13, 2024 in Indian Wells, California. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 13: Aryna Sabalenka plays a forehand against Emma Navarro of the United States in their fourth round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 13, 2024 in Indian Wells, California. Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – FEBRUARY 20: Aryna Sabalenka plays a forehand against Donna Vekic of Croatia in their second round women’s singles match during the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, part of the Hologic WTA Tour at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 20, 2024 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Christopher Pike/Getty Images
Sabalenka’s loss comes five years after she lost her father, who was then 43-years-old, according to We Are Tennis.
Terribly sad news, Aryna Sabalenka’s partner, Konstantin Kolstov, 42, has passed away.
Emotional thoughts to the world number 2, who had already lost her father, aged 43, in 2019.
(📸 sabalenka_aryna, IG) pic.twitter.com/7dI8TZVyCU
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) March 19, 2024