Venicet Osipov, a forward with the NMHL club EkoNiva-Bobrov, died during a training session at the age of 17. The report came from Match TV and was later echoed by the club and national federation officials.
According to the club, the incident occurred at the very start of practice. The players had just skated onto the ice; Osipov took a shot, lined up, and collapsed. Medical staff rushed to assist, and an ambulance arrived within minutes. Attempts at artificial respiration were unsuccessful, and he could not be saved. The team later stated that every member had recently undergone medical screening and was declared fit to play.
The EkoNiva-Bobrov squad is affiliated with the Voronezh-based All-Russian hockey league system, and the club pledged support to the athlete’s family in this difficult time. The Russian Hockey Federation issued condolences and noted that Osipov’s death was attributed to a heart-related event.
There were previous discussions about opportunities for young players to pursue hockey abroad, a topic that has recently circulated among national sports authorities and youth development programs. Officials stressed the importance of safety protocols, medical oversight, and careful monitoring of prospects as they transition to higher levels of competition.