Former NHLer Vladimir Tsyplakov passes away far too young.

We have some sad news to report today, unfortunately another one of the National Hockey League's alumni has died at far too young an age.

According to a report from the Buffalo News over the weekend, former National Hockey League forward Vladimir Tsyplakov has died at the young age of just 50 years old. At the time of this writing the cause of his death has not been disclosed so we do not have any details to share with you regarding the nature of his passing. Tsyplakov played as both a member of the Los Angeles Kings organization and the Buffalo Sabres organization during the years he spent in North America as an NHL player. 

The winger was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings all the way back in 1995 where he was selected in the third round ( 59th overall) of the National Hockey League Entry Draft. Tsyplakov would go on to play in multiple seasons for the Los Angeles Kings before eventually being traded to the Buffalo Sabres for an eighth round draft selection during the 1999 - 2000 NHL regular season. Tsyplakov would go on to play in a pair of seasons with the Buffalo Sabres before eventually making his return back across the Atlantic to play in what was then known as the Russian superleague. 

Tsyplakov represented the Soviet Union during his time as a young hockey player and even captured a gold medal while representing that country at the World Junior Championship in 1989. He would also represent his native country of Belarus in a pair of Winter Olympic Games as well as on four different occasions during the World Championship.

Our thoughts and condolences go out to the Tsyplakov family at this time as well as to all of Tsyplakov's friends and loved ones who may be affected by this very tragic news today. Unfortunately we have seen a number of former professional hockey players, and specifically players who played at the National Hockey League level, die far too young over the past several years and Tsyplakov's early passing at the age of 50 has now only added to that very unfortunate phenomenon.