Konstantin Koltsov, a former professional ice hockey player who competed in the NHL for the Pittsburgh Penguins, had been a regular fixture supporting Aryna Sabalenka at tennis tournaments; the Russian ice hockey club at which Koltsov was an assistant coach reported his death.
Aryna Sabalenka’s ex-boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, died at the age of 42.
Koltsov, a former NHL player for the Pittsburgh Penguins, had been a regular at Sabalenka’s competitions.
The world No. 2 Koltsov was regularly mentioned on social media in photos and remarks.
Salavat Yulaev Ufa, a Russian ice hockey team where Koltsov previously served as assistant coach, also confirmed the news.
A statement on the club’s website read: “It is with great sadness that we inform you that Salavat Yulaev coach Konstantin Koltsov has passed away.” He was a powerful and happy individual who was loved and appreciated by his teammates, colleagues, and fans.
“Konstantin Evgenievich has eternally written himself into the history of our club. Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup with Salavat Yulaev and was an excellent coach for the squad.
“The hockey club Salavat Yulaev expresses its condolences to the family and friends of Konstantin Evgenievich Koltsov.”
Koltsov competed for Belarus in the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics and also served as the national team’s coach.
According to a statement on the federation’s website, “The Belarusian Hockey Federation expresses its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and everyone who knew and worked with Konstantin Evgenievich.”
The Pittsburgh Penguins also paid tribute, stating on their website: “The Penguins extend their heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins forward Konstantin Koltsov.”
“The native of Belarus was the Penguins’ first-round draft choice in 1999 and was with the team from 2003-2006, playing 144 NHL games.”
Salavat Yulaev fans put tributes to Koltsov outside Ufa Arena, as shown in pictures.
Sabalenka, who won her second grand slam championship at the Australian Open in January, is in Miami and is scheduled to play her first match at the Miami Open later this week, but her participation is now in doubt.
It is the second tragedy for the 25-year-old Belarusian, whose father, Sergey, a former ice hockey player, died in 2019 at the age of 43.
Sabalenka’s victory at the Australian Open fulfilled a desire she shared with her father of winning two Grand Slam championships by the age of 25, and she told reporters in Melbourne: “It was incredibly important. Of sure, he is my biggest inspiration. “He’s been everything to me.”
