Konstantin Koltsov, ex-NHLer and boyfriend of Aryna Sabalenka, dead

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Konstantin Koltsov, a former first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has died at 42.

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The Belarussian forward who played three seasons in the NHL was also the long-term boyfriend of tennis star Aryna Sabalenka.

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Koltsov’s death was announced Tuesday by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on social messaging site Telegram.

According to reports in his native Belarus, Koltsov died of “a detached blood clot,” though that has not officially been confirmed.

“It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,” the Russian club’s statement read.

“He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans. Konstantin forever wrote himself into the history of our club.

“Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev, and did a great job on the team’s coaching staff.

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“May his memory burn bright.”

According to Belarusian media outlet Telegraf, just a day before his death, Koltsov planned to not renew his contract with the team, whom he had coached for the past two seasons.

Koltsov and Sabalenka, 25, had been dating for three years. He has three children with his ex-wife, Julia, whom he divorced in 2020.

Sabalenka has often posted photos on her Instagram account of Koltsov, who has supported her at many tournaments around the world.

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Two months ago, Koltsov was in Melbourne to watch her take home her second straight Australian Open title.

Recently on his own Instagram account, which has been set to private, Koltsov shared a gallery of pictures of the world No. 2 tennis player to celebrate International Women’s Day. The caption read, “Happy holiday, my love, I love you madly.”

This is not the first tragedy to befell Sabalenka in recent years. She lost her dad, Sergey, five years ago. He was only 43.

During Netflix’s tennis docuseries Break Point, Sabalenka had talked about how she was motivated by her father’s death.

“We had one dream: That before 25, I will win a couple of Grand Slams,” she said.

“Now I’m 24 and there is zero in my pocket.”

Sabalenka currently is in Florida preparing for the Miami Open with the main draw beginning later this week. Koltsov is thought to have joined her before his shocking death.

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