NHL top prospect continues to show heart and determination as he battled brain tumor
NHL prospects all have different roads to the NHL. No two prospects will ever travel down two identical routes on their path to living their dreams. But for one prospect that road became much longer when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor that brought his development to a halt.
The Toronto Maple Leafs drafted Rodion Amirov 15th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. The skilled winger was expected to transition to the NHL this year, that was until his entire world was turned upside down. During last season Amirov was diagnosed with the brain tumor and he immediately began treatment.
The 20-year-old flew to Germany and immediately began undergoing treatment. Thoughts began to shift to life after hockey for Amirov, but that's something he never felt. During a recent interview Amirov shared that he was tires of being "viewed as sick".
Many wondered if Amirov would be "healed" but for Amirov there was never a healed without hockey. His goal was never to just live, his goal was always to get back on the ice and play at the highest level. Yesterday he took the most recent step to achieving that dream.
Amirov is also on the current roadtrip with Salvat UFA and while he's not playing today, that deal will come soon. Amirov has already shown the heart of a lion and the determination of a warrior. It no longer seems like "if" he'll make the NHL, it's now a matter of when.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 3 | 171 ANSWERS NHL top prospect continues to show heart and determination as he battled brain tumor What division is the best in the NHL? | ||
| Atlantic | 81 | 47.4 % |
| Pacific | 40 | 23.4 % |
| Metropolitan | 29 | 17 % |
| Central | 21 | 12.3 % |
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