Russian hockey team Salavat Yulaev Ufa announced Tuesday that former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Konstantin Koltsov has died at the age of 42.
Per CNN's George Ramsay, Salavat Yulaev released the following statement regarding Koltsov, who had been serving as an assistant coach for the KHL club:
"It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, passed away. He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, fans. Konstantin Evgenievich forever written himself in the history of our club."
Koltsov, who had been dating Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka since 2021, was a first-round pick by the Penguins in the 1999 NHL draft and played three seasons for the team.