Konstantin Koltsov, Former NHL Player & Boyfriend of Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka

Transcript

00:00 Friends and family are mourning the loss of Konstantin Kaltsov.

00:05 The 42-year-old, former professional ice hockey player from Belarus, has died, according to

00:11 Continental Hockey League team Salavat Yulev.

00:16 Konstantin was dating tennis superstar Irina Sabalenka.

00:21 Konstantin's KHL team said in a translated statement on March 18, quote, "He was a strong

00:26 and cheerful person.

00:28 He was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans."

00:33 The statement continues, "Konstantin forever wrote himself into the history of our club.

00:39 He won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulev and did a great

00:46 job on the team's coaching staff."

00:49 No cause of death has been shared at this time.

00:53 During his professional career, Konstantin represented his country at the Winter Olympics

00:58 in 2002 and 2010.

01:01 He also spent three seasons on the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins between 2003 and 2006.

01:09 The Pennsylvania team shared a statement on Konstantin's passing, noting he was their

01:13 first round draft choice in 1999, who went on to play a total of 144 NHL games.

01:22 The team shares, "The Penguins extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends

01:27 of former Penguins forward Konstantin Koltsov."

01:32 Off the ice, the assistant hockey coach was in a relationship with tennis star and fellow

01:37 Beirutian Irina Sabalenka, who is currently ranked number two in the Women's Tennis Association.

01:45 The pair debuted their romance in 2021, with Irina sharing a photo of Konstantin kissing

01:50 her cheek at the time.

01:52 The 25-year-old captioned her photo alongside the laughing emoji, "It's good to have someone

01:58 who can understand my madness.

02:00 At least you won't get bored with me, right?"

02:03 Irina, who is scheduled to play her first game in the Miami Open on March 22, has not

02:09 addressed Konstantin's passing at this time.

02:12 Irina posted a moving tribute to her boyfriend for his birthday last April, writing, "Happy

02:18 birthday my love, you are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support.

02:24 Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.

02:27 I hope we will have everything we planned.

02:30 I love you."

02:31 "I love you."

02:34 "I love you."