Shock. Disbelief. Tragedy. Konstantin Koltsov, former Belarusian professional hockey player and boyfriend of tennis player Aryna Sabalenka, passed away at the age of 42, announced the Russian club Salavat Yulaev on Tuesday.
“With deep sorrow, we inform you that Salavat Yulaev coach Konstantin Koltsov has passed away,” starts the statement from Salavat Yulaev, based in the Russian city of Ufa. “He was a strong and cheerful person, loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans. Konstantin Yevgeniyevich has forever inscribed himself in the history of our club.”
Hockey club Salavat Yulaev confirms Konstantin Koltsov’s death.https://t.co/JzCQ5IiuSk pic.twitter.com/RhO3arfYo5
— Belarushockey.com (@Belarushockey) March 19, 2024
Koltsov played for the Belarus national team at the 2002 and 2010 Olympic Games and spent part of three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2002 to 2006. He won the Russian championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev and did a tremendous job in the team’s coaching staff.
Sabalenka and Koltsov were first linked in June 2021 and the world No.2 tennis player often posted their photos together on her Instagram account. The premature passing of her boyfriend is the second tragedy in the 25-year-old WTA star’s life. Her…
