18 year old hockey player dies tragically hours after his final game.

The London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League have just announced some truly shocking news.

According to a a joint statement released by the aforementioned Knights and the Ontario Hockey League, 18 year old forward Abakar Kazbekov has passed away. Not only is it stunning to hear of a young athlete dying so young, but Kazbekov appeared to be in perfectly fine health given that he was on the ice for the London Knights as recently as just last night when the Knights played against the Owen Sound Attack.

Here is the official statement from the OHL and the Knights:

The Ontario Hockey League and the London Knights are saddened to announce the sudden passing of player Abakar Kazbekov.

Abakar has been a valued member of the team since 2021. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates.

Tonight's game in London between the London Knights and Flint Firebirds is postponed.

Kazbekov was a native of Moscow, Russia but moved to Canada to pursue his dreams of being a professional hockey player, dreams that have tragically now come to an end. There has been no information regarding the nature of Kazbekov's passing, no doubt the details of that are still currently being investigated given this shocking news.

My condolences go out to the London Knights, the Ontario Hockey League at large, and of course all of Abakar Kazbekov's family and loved ones in this terrible time.