The Pittsburgh Penguins are mourning the loss of former player Konstantin Koltsov, who has passed away at the age of 42.
“The Penguins extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins forward Konstantin Koltsov,” the team said in a statement Tuesday morning.
Koltsov, who was dating fellow Belarusian tennis star Arina Sabalenka, died in an “apparent suicide” after jumping from a hotel balcony, Miami-Dade police told CNN.
A first-round pick of the Penguins in 1999, Koltsov made his NHL debut on January 28, 2003, against the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum.
Known for his incredible speed, the winger became a full-timer in the Penguins’ lineup during the 2003-04 season, appearing in all 82 games and recording nine goals and 20 assists.
After the NHL returned from the 2004-05 lockout, Koltsov played his final NHL season in 2005-06 on a Penguins team that featured rookies Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux.
“He could fly. He was a powerful skater, a really strong guy and a great guy to be around,” Crosby said of Koltsov on Tuesday. According to NHL.com. “We didn’t have the best team that first year, but we had a great group and he was a part of it. My condolences go out to his family… sad news.”
Koltsov had three goals and six assists in 60 games that season before joining Russian club Salavat Yulaev, where he played for six seasons and later became an assistant coach.
Former NHL defenseman and “Spittin’ Chiclets” host Ryan Whitney was a rookie on the Penguins’ team in 2005-2006 and spent time with Koltsov on the Penguins’ AHL team.
“This is terrible news,” Whitney wrote to X after Salavat Yulaev confirmed Koltsov’s death. “I played with Colzi for several years at Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh. One of the fastest skaters I’ve ever seen and very funny. Especially when his accent and words are used to piss me off.” This is terrible. My thoughts are with his family at this terrible time.”
Koltsov played one season with Dynamo Minsk before retiring in 2016.
He represented Belarus at the 2002 and 2010 Olympics. He played 67 international games and scored 21 goals and provided 10 assists.
