London Knights centre Abakar Kazbekov dead at age 18
According to multiple media reports, Kazbekov died Saturday morning after falling from apartment building
London Knights centre Abakar Kazbekov has died, the team and Ontario Hockey League announced via Twitter on Saturday.
According to multiple media reports, Kazbekov died Saturday morning after falling from a downtown apartment building.
London police are investigating the incident, but foul play is not suspected.
The 18-year-old played in Friday's 5-2 home victory over the Owen Sound Attack.
"Today I join the entire OHL community in mourning the devastating loss of London Knights player Abakar Kazbekov," OHL commissioner David Branch said in a statement. "Our deepest condolences are with his family and friends in Russia and his teammates, billets and friends here in Canada."
The Moscow native had been a member of the Knights since the start of last season.
Statement from the London Knights and the Ontario Hockey League on the sudden passing of Abakar Kazbekov. <a href="https://t.co/JgpYOZq3fk">pic.twitter.com/JgpYOZq3fk</a>
—@LondonKnightsKazbekov registered one assist in 12 appearances with London in 2022-23.
The Knights and OHL said Saturday's game against the Flint Firebirds has been postponed.
The OHL also announced the postponement of three other Saturday games — the Erie Otters versus Saginaw Spirit, Kingston Frontenacs vs. the Peterborough Petes, and Niagara vs. Sudbury — out of sensitivity to individuals involved in the games who were close to Kazbekov.
