Hockey world mourns the tragic passing of Yegor Yadykin at just 21

Russian authorities confirmed on June 11, 2026, that the HC Norilsk forward died the previous day after a rifle discharged accidentally while he sat in a vehicle preparing for a hunting trip.

He was struck in the head and killed instantly.

His grandfather Viktor Nikolayevich was there when it happened. After witnessing the accident, he sent a voice message to the family.

Hours later, he was found dead in a garage. Russia's Investigative Committee confirmed both deaths and opened a formal investigation.

What gets lost in the shock of this story is who Yadykin was as a hockey player before any of this happened.

He came through the Avangard Omsk system and won two Russian under-17 national championships.

He represented Russia at youth and junior international levels between 2021 and 2023.

In his final professional season, he appeared in 46 VHL games for HC Norilsk. His career totals closed at 64 games and 7 points across two seasons - numbers that describe a 21-year-old still climbing, not one who had peaked.

HC Norilsk described him as a selfless teammate who consistently put the team first.

Avangard Omsk called him a kind and positive person. The Russian Ice Hockey Federation formally expressed condolences to his family and loved ones.

Yadykin was born in Salavat.

His 64 professional games are all there are. The stat line sadly will not grow.

A two-time junior champion who earned a professional career through multiple organizations had his story cut short at 21.

The hockey world lost one of its own, and a family in Salavat lost two people in one day.

May Yegor Yadykin and his grandfather rest in peace.

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