The Associated Press reported that former Belarusian hockey player Konstantin Koltsov passed away in Florida on Tuesday.

The news service cited a statement from Miami-Dade Police Detective Argemis Colome explaining that the cause of Koltsov's death appears to have been suicide.

Passing of Koltsov called "an irreparable loss"

According to the Associated Press, Koltsov played in the NHL before becoming an assistant coach for the Russian professional hockey team Salavat Yulaev Ufa.

Koltsov was also an assistant on the staff of Belarus' national men's hockey team. Dmitry Baskov is the team's coach, and he called Koltsov's death "an irreparable loss."

Wow. Looks like the death of former Belarusian Olympian and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey star Konstantin Koltsov has been confirmed by his former Russian team, Salavat Yulaev.

Koltsov was also the long-time boyfriend of Aryna Sabalenka. Just tragic for everyone involved. https://t.co/86d6k6ah8v

— Tick Tock Tennis (@TickTockTennis) March 19, 2024

"Konstantin was one of the undisputable leaders of our team, a talented progressive coach, a bright player," Baskov said in a statement.

Colleagues offer support to Koltsov's girlfriend

Yahoo Sport noted that Koltsov was the boyfriend of Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka tennis player, who is still planning to participate in the Miami Open tennis tournament this week.

American tennis player Jessica Pegula was quoted by Yahoo Sport as telling reporters that fellow athletes are trying to provide Sabalenka with encouragement.

"I think all of us all heard about it last night and then obviously there's more news about it this morning, which was just really horrible," Pegula said.

"All you can do is really offer support for however she wants to deal with it. You never know how someone is going to take it or how they want to grieve and everyone's so different," she continued.

"So I think the best you can really do is just offer support. And you know, that's really comforting," the champion player explained.

Sabaleka featured Koltsov on her social media page

Pegula concluded by saying, "I hope for her to know, that even though we're all competitors and we're on kind of the stage where we're trying to beat each other, at the same time, we're still somewhat of a family."

Yahoo Sport noted that Sabaleka regularly made reference to Koltsov in her social media, such as when she wished him a happy birthday last April.

"Happy birthday, my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health. I hope we will have everything we planned," she wrote.