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That tugged on the heart strings.  

The Maple Leafs held a video tribute to the late Rodion Amirov during a TV timeout in the first period on Thursday night.

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In attendance at the game between the Leafs and New Jersey Devils, and in Toronto for the first time, were Amirov’s parents and sisters. They looked on emotionally, each holding a No. 20 Amirov Leafs sweater, as the tribute played. Once it was done, the family received a warm round of applause from the crowd at Scotiabank Arena. 

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The visit by Amirov’s parents and family, who are being hosted by the Leafs, has been in the works for a while.

“It was quite the moment,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said of the tribute. “Rodion’s time here, I think made an impact on our group and the story is extremely sad. 

“To have the family in here, they should be coming here to watch their son play in the NHL in Toronto. Clearly an emotional time. I really felt in that moment for the family, but it is at the same time terrific to have them here. I’m glad they had that moment and the fans recognized it.”

Amirov, the Leafs’ first-round pick in 2020, was diagnosed with a brain tumour two years ago and passed away last August at the age of 21. 

In the fall of 2022, Amirov was able to attend the Leafs’ season opener and was cheered as he waved from the bench. 

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