The Barrie Colts have announced the death of former star forward Vladimir Nikiforov.
He was 34 years old. No cause of death was released.
Nikiforov played two full seasons with the local Ontario Hockey League team in the late 2000s and part of a third campaign.
His passing was announced Sunday evening on the local OHL team's social media channels.
"The entire Barrie Colts family is saddened to hear of Vlad’s passing. He will be fondly remembered by the Colts organization and fans. Our thoughts are with his family at this time," the team said in statement.
The native of Hauppauge, N.Y., played 164 regular-season games with the Colts from the 2005-05 to 2007-08 seasons, collecting 59 goals and 100 assists for 159 points over two and a half seasons. He also had six goals and 15 assists in 22 playoff games with Barrie before finishing his OHL career with the Sarnia Sting.
Nikiforov's pro career included stops in Connecticut with the American Hockey League's Bridgeport Tigers, as well as the ECHL's Utah Grizzlies, Florida Everblades, Bakersfield Condors, and Reading Royals.
He also had a short stint with the Brooklyn Aviators of the Federal Hockey League before starring with the Bloomington Blaze and Quad City Mallards of the Central Hockey League.
During the 2014-15 season, Nikiforov played overseas with the Coventry Blaze in England, as well as the Weiden Blue Devils in Germany.
In 2015-16, Nikiforov was back in the ECHL when he returned to Quad City, followed by a 14-game stint with Alaska Aces and then the Tulsa Oilers.
Nikiforov finished his pro career with the Quad City Storm of the Southern Professional Hockey League in 2018-19.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Nikiforov's 10-year-old son, Max.
The entire Barrie Colts family is saddened to hear of Vlad’s passing.
— Barrie Colts (@OHLBarrieColts) February 20, 2022
He will be fondly remembered by the Colts organization and fans.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time. pic.twitter.com/3cFOPyJJvD
