Kazakhstani ice hockey player (2001–2020)
Vilen Prokofyev (Kazakh: Вилен Прокофьев) (April 22, 2001 – February 3, 2020) was a Kazakhstani ice hockey goaltender for Snezhnye Barsy of the Russian Junior Hockey League (MHL) from 2017 to 2020. He died of Ewing's sarcoma on February 3, 2020, aged 18.
Playing career.
Prokofyev made his debut in the Russian Junior Hockey League (MHL) during the 2017–18 season, at the age of 16. On March 2, 2018, late in a 6–1 loss to Mamonty Yugry, he sustained a cut to the neck after colliding with the skate blade of Yugry defenseman Dmitry Yushkevich. Although the injury was minor, he did not complete the match.
Illness and death.
Prokofyev first showed signs of illness in May 2019, when he began having problems with his hip. His diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma, a cancer of the bones and surrounding soft tissue, was announced in November 2019. He underwent chemotherapy in Moscow, with Kontinental Hockey League clubs organizing fundraisers to cover the $190,000 cost of his treatment. Russian goaltender Ilya Sorokin wore pads decorated by pediatric cancer patients at the 2020 KHL All-Star Game, which were auctioned off to support Prokofyev's treatment.
Prokofyev died on the morning of February 3, 2020, in Moscow, at the age of 18. At the time of his death, he had completed one round of chemotherapy and had undergone an operation attempting to remove the cancer. A public memorial service was held at Barys Arena on February 6, 2020. He was buried in his hometown of Satpayev.
References.
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