The Toronto Marlies honored the memory of late prospect Rodion Amirov during their Calder Cup championship celebration on June 19, 2026. Amirov's No. 72 sweater was brought onto the ice and featured prominently in team festivities.
A Special Tribute
Amirov, the Toronto Maple Leafs' first-round pick in 2020 from Ufa, Russia, was diagnosed with a brain tumor two years after being drafted. He passed away in 2023 in Munich, Germany, where the Leafs had arranged specialized medical treatment. The team also rented ice for him on days he felt strong enough to practice.
His sweater had been hanging in the Marlies' dressing room at Coca-Cola Coliseum and their Ford Centre practice facility throughout the season. After clinching the Calder Cup, it was brought onto the ice. Marlies general manager Ryan Hardy wore the jersey as the trophy was passed around to staff, and playoff MVP Artur Akhtyamov, also Russian, held it at the center of the team photo.
A Symbolic Gesture
Head coach John Gruden praised the tribute, stating, "It's pretty cool when you understand the situation. I'm glad we did it. That's a great gesture." Winger Ryan Tverberg, the last pick in the 2020 draft, never met Amirov due to the COVID-19 virtual draft. He noted, "We've had his sweater both at Ford and here. It's a little thing, because a lot of us never met him. But nice to know he is rooting for us."
Remembering Amirov
Amirov had 24 points in 27 games during his draft year. He made a symbolic camp trip to Toronto in 2022 with his family but fell ill. Before returning home, Leafs president Brendan Shanahan presented him with one of the first bronzed team medallions, featuring a vintage Leaf on one side and the motto 'Honour, Pride and Courage' on the other. Leaf legend Borje Salming, who was battling ALS, also received one. Amirov's enthusiasm left a lasting impression on the organization.
