Former Penguin Konstantin Koltsov dies at 42

Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Konstantin Koltsov has died at age 42, per Sportsnet. Koltsov – the partner of top women’s tennis player Aryna Sabalenka – spent three seasons in the NHL, playing in a combined 144 games. 

The Associated Press reported that "Police said the death was an apparent suicide and no foul play was suspected."

He was originally the 18th overall pick in the 1999 NHL Draft, going in the same round as the Sedin brothers, Taylor Pyatt, Barret Jackman and Martin Havlat.

Koltsov played in his rookie NHL season in 2003-04, after four years of playing in the KHL’s predecessor. He managed nine goals, 29 points, 30 penalty minutes, and a -30 while appearing in all 82 games that season, operating in a meager role on what was a very low-scoring Penguins lineup. The 2004-05 lockout would return Koltsov to Russia – and while he rejoined Pittsburgh in 2005-06 – recording nine points, 20 penalty minutes, and a -10 in 60 games – it was clear that Russia is where Koltsov fit in best. The Belarussian forward would make his Russian stay permanent in 2006-07, playing the next 10 years in the KHL before retiring in 2016 at age 34.

Koltsov totaled 617 games in Russia’s top pro leagues, scoring a combined 90 goals and 206 points across those appearances. This includes 14 goals and 25 points in the 2006-07 season, which marked his career-high in Russia. He also made appearances at the 2002 and 2010 Olympics, representing Belarus. Koltsov took on coaching in the 2017-18 season, serving as an assistant for Belarus’ Dinamo Minsk until 2019; later moving into an assistant role with Ufa Salavat Yulaev in 2021 – after playing in 264 games with the club as a player – a role he was actively serving in.

We all extend our deepest condolences to Koltsov’s family and the Ufa Salavat Yulaev and Pittsburgh Penguins organizations.

If you are in the United States and you or a loved one have contemplated suicide, call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to connect with a trained counselor.