Konstantin Koltsov, the former Pittsburgh Penguin and boyfriend of tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, has died, the Russian hockey team said.
He was 42 years old.
“He was a strong and cheerful person,” said a source from Koltsov’s Russian national team, Salavat Yulaev. “He was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans. Konstantin Evgenievich forever etched his name in the history of our club.
“May he rest in peace.”
Konstantin Koltsov of Belarus celebrates his team’s first goal in front of Russian goalkeeper Ilya Bryzgalov during the quarterfinals of the 2009 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Bern on May 6, 2009. (Photographed on June 6th). The Belarusian Hockey Federation announced on March 19, 2024 that former ice hockey player Arina Sabalenka, boyfriend of the two-time Grand Slam tennis champion Konstantin Koltsov, has died at the age of 42. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
The circumstances of Koltsov’s death have not been made public.
The Belarusian native entered the NHL in 1999 when he was selected 18th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins. He worked his way up through the ranks, and eventually he played for Pittsburgh at various times between 2002 and his 2006 season.
After playing professional hockey in the United States, Koltsov played for the Russian national team Salavat Yulaev and served as the team’s assistant coach after his playing days ended.
Koltsov once again gained notoriety in 2021 after forming a romantic relationship with Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka.
Aryna Sabalenka says she will still play at the Miami Open despite the shocking death of her boyfriend, former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov, at the age of 42. https://t.co/1TMUdspFg7
— MailSport (@MailSport) March 19, 2024
Koltsov is believed to have died in Miami, where Sabalenka was preparing to play in this weekend’s Miami Open.
