We have some sad news to report on in the hockey world on Monday evening as according to Belarusian media, former Pittsburgh Penguins first-round pick Konstantin Koltsov has passed away at the age of 42.
The Minsk, Belarus native was selected 18th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and went on to appear in 144 games with them between the 2002-03 and 2005-06 seasons where he had 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists), 50 penalty minutes and was a minus-42.
Koltsov would turn his attention to coaching once his playing career came to a close and on Monday morning, just hours before his passing was announced, it was revealed that he was not going to be brought back as an assistant coach with Salavat.