NHL Enforcers - WTF?

[Don]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nhl/story/Form ... ?gt1=39002

Former Predator Wade Belak, an enforcer who had played with five NHL teams before retiring in March, was found dead Wednesday in Toronto. He was 35.


Belak is the third NHL enforcer found dead since May.

The Predators learned of Belak's death from NHL security and the team issued a statement saying the organization was shocked and sadden by his sudden and untimely death.

''Wade was a beloved member of the organization, a terrific teammate and wonderful father and husband who will be greatly missed,'' according to the Predators' statement. ''Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jennifer and children Andie and Alex. We offer our full support to them at this very difficult time.''

Toronto police spokesman Tony Vella said officers found a man dead when called at 1:40 p.m. EDT Wednesday at a hotel and condo complex. Vella said ''foul play is not suspected in the ongoing investigation'' into Belak's death.

Belak was scheduled to work as a sideline reporter on Nashville television broadcasts this season. The 6-foot-5, 233-pound forward played for Colorado, Calgary, Toronto, Florida and finished his career with Nashville, playing in 549 career NHL games with eight goals, 25 assists and 1,263 penalty minutes.

He fought 136 times during his 14-year NHL career, according to hockeyfights.com.

Belak is the third NHL tough guy who has died this offseason.

Winnipeg's Rick Rypien was found dead at the age of 27 earlier this month at his home in Alberta after a police official said a call was answered for a ''sudden and non-suspicious'' death. Former Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard died in May at 28 due to an accidental mix of alcohol and the painkiller oxycodone.

After Rypien's death, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said he expected the NHL to review its substance abuse and behavioral health program.

''We're talking about such a short period of time,'' said Craig Button, who was the general manager of the Calgary Flames when Belak played there early in his career, told The Canadian Press. ''It's not only about the deaths, it's the deaths that surround similar type players. ... It's not just getting hit in the head, it's everything that goes with that (enforcer) role. I think that people are paying very, very serious attention to concussions and blows to the head and the role of the enforcer.

''I don't think anybody can stop until we really understand the impact it has not only physically, but emotionally as well.''

Predators forward Blake Geoffrion sent his prayers to Belak's family on Twitter.

''Wade Belak was one of funniest dudes I had ever met. Just was with him earlier this summer. Can't believe it,'' Geoffrion tweeted.

Bettman released a statement calling Belak a player who competed every minute of his career.

''Our hearts go out to Wade's loved ones, his friends, his former teammates and to all who feel the horrible void left by this tragedy,'' Bettman said.

Executive director Don Fehr issued a statement sending condolences to Belak's family from the NHL Players' Association.

''His affable personality made him popular with teammates, fans and media, and he was a hardworking, respected member of the Association. He will undoubtedly be greatly missed throughout the entire hockey community,'' Fehr said.

Belak recently travelled to Toronto to be a contestant on the CBC show ''Battle of the Blades.''

''He was very excited that he was having an opportunity to maybe change his career and get into some commentating work,'' former Toronto coach Pat Quinn told The Canadian Press. ''I was excited for him, too. It was kind of one of those nice meetings where you walk away happy. He seemed delighted this was going on.''

Over the last week, Belak was interviewed a number of times after being selected to the ''Battle of the Blades'' cast and fielded questions about the deaths of the other two players.

He was scheduled to appear on TSN Radio with Bryan Hayes on Wednesday afternoon, but when the cab arrived to pick him up to take him to the interview, Belak didn't show up.

''We just figured that he forgot or he had something else come up and in radio we had to move on,'' Hayes told CP24. ''To think that the reason he didn't show up was because he had passed away is pretty crazy.''

[StevePerryHair]

You know, it makes you wonder now...with them saying they are going to look at addiction programs? Sounds like pain killer addictions? From injuries? And they mix it with alcohol? But why the NHL...you'd think every sport would be experiencing deaths like this, since they all deal with injuries. Wow, it's really sad!

[S2M]

Btw, Mark Savard's career is over...just heard it. Thanks Matt Cooke, you fucking loser!! This is why I'm not impressed with Gretzky's career...guy had enforcers, and he was NEVER touched.

[Behshad]

You know, it makes you wonder now...with them saying they are going to look at addiction programs? Sounds like pain killer addictions? From injuries? And they mix it with alcohol? But why the NHL...you'd think every sport would be experiencing deaths like this, since they all deal with injuries. Wow, it's really sad!

Im sure there are other pro athletes who have died besides hockey player

[Behshad]

Btw, Mark Savard's career is over...just heard it. Thanks Matt Cooke, you fucking loser!! This is why I'm not impressed with Gretzky's career...guy had enforcers, and he was NEVER touched.

Is there anyhing youre impressed by, besides the rainbow ?

[StevePerryHair]

You know, it makes you wonder now...with them saying they are going to look at addiction programs? Sounds like pain killer addictions? From injuries? And they mix it with alcohol? But why the NHL...you'd think every sport would be experiencing deaths like this, since they all deal with injuries. Wow, it's really sad!

Im sure there are other pro athletes who have died besides hockey player

3 in one year? Don't you think if this happened 3 in one year in football, mysterious young deaths, we'd be seeing the articles?

[S2M]

Btw, Mark Savard's career is over...just heard it. Thanks Matt Cooke, you fucking loser!! This is why I'm not impressed with Gretzky's career...guy had enforcers, and he was NEVER touched.

Is there anyhing youre impressed by, besides the rainbow ?

Sure...for starters, folks that use punctuation. And people who can spell. Sadly, you are 0-2. Not impressed.

[Deb]

You know, it makes you wonder now...with them saying they are going to look at addiction programs? Sounds like pain killer addictions? From injuries? And they mix it with alcohol? But why the NHL...you'd think every sport would be experiencing deaths like this, since they all deal with injuries. Wow, it's really sad!

Im sure there are other pro athletes who have died besides hockey player

3 in one year? Don't you think if this happened 3 in one year in football, mysterious young deaths, we'd be seeing the articles?

Hung himself. He was in Toronto rehearsing for this season's Battle Of The Blades. He was just on one of our sports radio shows here last week talking about this very thing.


CALGARY - On the same day news breaks one former Calgary Flames player’s 2011-12 season — and likely career — is over, another is found dead.

It sure puts the Marc Savard’s concussion issue into perspective. Savard has answers — his head won’t allow him to play.
The Wade Belak tragedy leaves nothing but more questions.

Belak’s body was discovered inside a Toronto condo Wednesday, bringing the death toll of NHL enforcers to three this summer.
He was just 35.

Belak was only in Calgary for parts of three seasons, playing fewer than 80 games in a Flames uniform, but he made a huge impression on everybody in the organization and in the stands.

He left that same impact everywhere he went. Belak never turned down an interview, never said no to an autograph and never seemed to lose his Cheshire Cat smile aside from the moments he spent chucking knuckles with other NHL heavyweights.

The smile came back as soon as those battles were over and he always left teammates grinning because of his antics and personality.

“We are shocked and sad to hear of Wade’s passing,” said Flames captain Jarome Iginla, who was in just his third year in the league when Belak joined the Flames in 1998-99 as part of the Theoren Fleury deal from the Colorado Avalanche.

“He was a wonderful guy and great teammate. He was so full of energy and life.

“I will always remember him as always having a smile on his face and being so upbeat. I truly enjoyed playing with him. My family’s thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.”

“He felt like family to most of those who crossed his path on a daily basis.

“We are deeply saddened with the news of Wade’s passing,” the Flames said in a statement. “We are proud that Wade wore the Calgary uniform, and we will always remember him as member of the Flames Family. We would like to express our sincere sympathies to the Belak family. This is a terrible loss of a vibrant young man; a man with great character who truly loved the game of hockey.”

Excited about a new chapter of his life as a broadcaster and radio host, Belak appeared to have everything going for him.

He had a young family, the opportunity to stay close to the game he lived for with a radio show in Nashville and a spot on the latest instalment of the Battle of the Blades TV show on CBC.

Former Flames coach Terry Crisp, a staple on the Nashville Predators broadcasting scene, was expecting to be reunited with Belak for Preds games this season, with the recently retired tough guy taking on a sideline-reporter role.

Like many of those who were so stunned and saddened by the news they couldn’t bring themselves to talk publicly, Crisp was still in shock when reached by phone.

“Terrible, terrible news,” Crisp said. “He was so damn healthy. The last guy you’d think of is Wade Belak. God Almighty.

“First you’ve got (Derek) Boogaard, then (Rick) Rypien, then Wade … what’s going on in our hockey world?

“It makes you sit back and wonder, doesn’t it?”

Questions will surely come regarding the fighter’s role in hockey, with Boogaard, Rypien and Belak all carving out careers by dropping their gloves before dying premature deaths.

Questions will also rise about how the league treats injuries and whether that may lead to addiction to painkillers.

More questions may come as to whether guys such as Belak who have dedicated their lives to hockey are really prepared mentally to give it up the way he did in March.

“Ur entire life is dedicated to hockey & one day it’s over and ur kicked to the curb!,” read a tweet by ex-NHLer Tyson Nash (@TysonNash). “And the NHLPA does nothing to prepare u.”

In Belak’s case, he seemed to be a natural fit for TV and radio broadcasting.

“He was enjoying it. He was going to work with us again,” said Crisp, who will remember Belak for his kindness and willingness to engage any hockey fan.

“You watch players and how they act and Wade was one of the best. He always had time. He was never in a hurry to not do something that was positive — even a little thing.

“He was just one of the best people. His attitude, sense of humour, (dealing) with the public, in the dressing room, with the young players … Un-friggen-real. Always happy, in good humour, then bingo … “To die that young, it’s just not right.”

[Behshad]

Btw, Mark Savard's career is over...just heard it. Thanks Matt Cooke, you fucking loser!! This is why I'm not impressed with Gretzky's career...guy had enforcers, and he was NEVER touched.

Is there anyhing youre impressed by, besides the rainbow ?

Sure...for starters, folks that use punctuation. And people who can spell. Sadly, you are 0-2. Not impressed.

The last person on earth I would wanna impress would be you, Fruity ,,,,,, :lol:

[Behshad]

He hung himself .