Toronto, Ontario On Saturday, the Ontario Hockey League and the London Knights reported the death of centre Abakar Kazbekov. He was 18.
The joint statement gave no additional information. Kazbek, a Russian player, participated in Friday’s 5-2 home triumph over the Owen Sound Attack.
According to CTV News London, the London Police Service is looking into the incident after discovering Kazbekov’s death on a sidewalk on Saturday morning.
Since the beginning of last season, the Moscow native had played for the Knights. Before this, he participated in the Russian under-16 and under-18 leagues.
In 12 games with London this season, Kazbekov had one assist. In nine games last season, he scored one goal.
How did Abakar Kazbekov die?
At the age of 18, Abakar Kazbekov passed away abruptly. No other details were provided in the Unitednited statement. The Knights’ authorities stated that Abakar Kazbekov was “a valued part of the team since 2021” and further noted that “our sympathies are with his family, friends, and teammates.”
The Knights’ players gathered in Budweiser Gardens, where they play their home games, on Saturday morning. Both the team’s midday game versus Flint and the later-planned luncheon before the team’s holiday break were postponed.
The Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights said on Saturday that an untimely death of an 18-year-old player had forced them to postpone their afternoon game.
Later, the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) disclosed that two other games—between the Erie Otters and the Saginaw Spirit and the Peterborough Petes and the Kingston Frontenacs—had also been postponed “out of sensitivity” to the parties involved and “who were close” to Kazbekov.
Abakar Kazbekov cause of death
Kazbekov reportedly died on Saturday morning after falling from an apartment building in the city, according to several media agencies. Suicide is thought to have been Abakar Kazbekov’s cause of death. There is, however, no formal information. However, there is no suspicion of wrongdoing despite the investigation by London police.
Several sources claim that Kazbekov died in the heart of the city, where London police on Saturday morning closed down a crosswalk after finding a body outside a luxurious condo complex. Talbot Street was shut off near Dufferin Avenue outside the Azure Condos by police tape.
The site was contacted, according to the police, just after 8 a.m. Kazbekov’s body was discovered at Dufferin Avenue and Talbot Street intersection at 8:20 in the morning, and London Police Service officers were dispatched to the area.
While the investigation continued, Talbot Street was still closed between Kent Street and Dufferin Avenue on Saturday afternoon.
As a result of Londoners’ grief over Kazbekov’s passing, Mayor Josh Morgan and Police Chief Steve Williams both made public statements. The Ontario Hockey League described it as a “devastating loss.”
Williams posted a message on social media expressing her sympathies to Abakar’s family, friends, and the London Knights organisation.
Who was Abakar Kazbekov?
Born on May 30, 2004, in Richmond Hill, Ontario, native and former hockey player Abakar Kazbekov played between 2021 and 2023.
The Ontario Hockey League was his team.
In Friday’s 5-2 victory at home for the Owen Sound Attack, the 18-year-old took part. In 12 games with London in 2022–2023, Kazbekov made one assist.
The Knights chose the six-foot-one Russian centre in the first round of the 2021 draught for players under 18. GM Mark Hunter praised Kazbekov at the time for his “great hockey sense, top playmaking talents, and… Tremendous shot.”
For the AAA U16 Vaughan Kings team, Kazbekov has previously played. He played 21 games with the Knights the past two seasons, making two points.
Tributes to Abakar Kazbekov
Abakar Kazbekov of the London Knights passed away unexpectedly, and the North Bay Battalion sends its condolences to his family, friends, and comrades. On Sunday at 2 p.m., before the Battalion’s home game, there will be a moment of silence in his honour.
The whole family and friends of Abakar Kazbekov, as well as the entire London Knights Community, are sent our heartfelt sympathies by The Saginaw Spirit. During this terrible moment, our thoughts are with you all.
The Regina Pats organisation extends its deepest condolences to Abakar’s friends, teammates, the London Knights, and the Kazbekov family. Peace be upon him.
The Red Deer Rebels extend their deepest sympathies to the Abakar Kazbekov family, friends, and the Knights organisation.
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