Ontario Hockey League’s center for London Knights, Abakar Kazbekov, died Saturday at the age of 18.
Kazbekov’s body was discovered by London Police Service on a sidewalk Saturday night, and it was believed he fell from an apartment building in the downtown neighborhood of the city, London CTV News reported. Police do not believe foul play was involved in the man’s death.
Statement from the London Knights and the Ontario Hockey League on the sudden passing of Abakar Kazbekov. pic.twitter.com/JgpYOZq3fk
— London Knights (@LondonKnights) December 17, 2022
“The Ontario Hockey League and the London Knights are saddened to announce the sudden passing of player Abakar Kazbekov,” the team wrote in a statement Saturday. “Abakar has been a valued member of the team since 2021. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates.”
“The investigation is still in its early stages and it’s been handed over to our Major Crime Section for further investigation,” London Police Service constable Travis Buckle told London CTV. He added that Kazbekov was dead when law enforcement arrived on the scene. (RELATED: 20-Year-Old Hockey Captain Drops Dead During Game)
Kazbekov was the first overall pick for the OHL’s under-18s draft in 2021 but was subsequently injured, so only played 21 games in the last two seasons, according to London CTV. He last played Friday night, where the team beat Owen Sound Attack. He had previously played in his hometown of Moscow, Russia, for under-16s and under-18s leagues, Fox reported.