Wade Belak found dead at 35
by Chris Burton on Aug 31, 2011 6:06 PM EDT
in Nashville Predators News
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Tragedy had struck the National Hockey League twice this summer in near unbelievable fashion with the deaths of Derek Boogaard and Rick Rypien.
Today, it struck again. Retired Nashville Predators enforcer Wade Belak was found dead in a Toronto hotel this afternoon at the age of 35.
Per the Toronto Sun (first reported by the Calgary Sun), and confirmed by the Predators:
Former Toronto Maple Leafs tough guy Wade Belak was found dead in a Toronto hotel Wednesday.
The 35-year-old from Saskatoon was found in the tony 1 King West hotel and condo residence.
The cause of death is unknown, and honestly, unimportant. Speculation can only be unproductive and disrespectful.
We'll have much more on this, but the news is, quite frankly, stunning, and it leaves me at a total loss for words.
Wade Belak was an integral member of the organization and will be horribly missed. He was approachable in the locker room, active in the community, and l doubt you'll ever find a funnier NHL player. "Beeler" had provided color commentary on multiple radio broadcasts with Tom Callahan, and was set to begin his own radio show on 102.5 the Game.
He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
Rest in peace, Wade.
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I’m just speechless here. God rest his soul and be with his family.
Belarussians play better as a family.......get AK46!
by Grizzledbear on Aug 31, 2011 6:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
terrible
Just terrible. Ny prayers to his family.
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
by bvkv09 on Aug 31, 2011 6:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I don't even know what to say.
RIP Wade.
"The Final Countdown" is now playing in your head. You're welcome.
Just awful…he was such a great and cool dude! had fun with him when i job shadowed with Tom last year. R.I.P
by PREDS 4 3RD RND on Aug 31, 2011 6:25 PM EDT reply actions
Doesn’t matter.
Lemme quote the late, great Colonel Sanders. He said "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken."
by Chris Burton on Aug 31, 2011 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
can't stop thinking about his family
I have two children myself, and I can’t imagine what they are going through. I only hope they didn’t find out through the media. Damn.
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
by bvkv09 on Aug 31, 2011 6:31 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
@mirtle:
The team has now confirmed Wade Belak’s death. Unfortunately his family learned through various media reports.
Lemme quote the late, great Colonel Sanders. He said "I'm too drunk to taste this chicken."
by Chris Burton on Aug 31, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Twitter: @OTFMarc: (NHL)
@MarcTorrence: (everything else).
by Marc Torrence on Aug 31, 2011 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Check out his last couple of tweets. Seems okay.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
Thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and two little girls. Will surely miss his smile at the Bridge this year. Will always remember him very loudly pointing out that the picture i had opened up to in my book was not him. And he found his and with a smile signed it. All of Smashville was better for knowing and having him as a player and person. Hope the team does something special for him this year. R.I.P. Beezer You will be missed!!
by predsfansince97 on Aug 31, 2011 6:53 PM EDT reply actions
Just tragic. Prayers go out to his young family. He left us with some many fond memories and had really become a part of the Nashville community. He will be missed.
by Boom Boom Belak on Aug 31, 2011 6:56 PM EDT reply actions
We'll miss you Beezer...
RIP Wade…prayers to his family, friends and players…
by HardCorePredFan316 on Aug 31, 2011 6:59 PM EDT reply actions
What a great guy !!
He came into my shop, with one of his young daughters climbing all over him…..like climbing all over a tree.
I feel blessed to have met him, personally.
It makes me feel sick to my stomach that his family heard the horrible news from the media………he, and they, deserved better.
I read my favorite article about him, recently, and shared it here………but here’s it is, once more…….
http://www.faceoff.com/hockey/nhlnews/Belak+taking+television/5293669/story.html
I will miss him………..and was looking soooooooooo forward to his new show on our Predators’ flagship station 102.5…….he made hockey TRULY fun and hilarious to listen to.
God bless you, Wade……and may God be with your family.
Rest in peace.
This is absolutely horrible......
Belak was my 8-year-old son’s favorite player. I have no idea what to say…….
Heartfelt condolences to his family...
So tragic. Wade was an incredible guy. Had the opportunity to hang out with him at a restaurant in Minneapolis after a Preds-Wild game and I’ve never met such an approachable, laid back, funny guy… much less professional athlete.
R.I.P. You will be missed.
He departed much, much too soon
He never seemed to take the world, the business or himself too seriously. He was fresh air in an environment that often gets overheated. This is a great loss to hockey.
by Hockey Hillbilly on Aug 31, 2011 7:41 PM EDT reply actions
I happened to be at a Preds’ game when they showed a video tribute to Belak shortly after he retired. It was obvious he was well-respected by his teammates and the fans as well. I hope his family remains strong after this terrible news. My thoughts are with his entire family, and I know every hockey fan feels the same way.
Lifelong Tennessean, Flyers' fan for life
ttp://www.torontosun.com/2011/08/31/ex-leafs-enforcer-belak-found-dead
This said he hanged himself. I just can’t even believe it.
I hope the source feels good about his or her self.
There are somethings that do not need ro be reported immediately
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
by bvkv09 on Aug 31, 2011 8:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Being first with all the gory details seems to be the obsession the media, decency be damned.
Belarussians play better as a family.......get AK46!
by Grizzledbear on Aug 31, 2011 8:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Obsession with the media I meant to say.
Belarussians play better as a family.......get AK46!
by Grizzledbear on Aug 31, 2011 8:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
absolutely Griz
You couldn’t be more right!
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
by bvkv09 on Aug 31, 2011 9:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Being first, with the right details, is what matters. If he did it, he did it. I hope he didn’t.
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
amen Cisar
this is so sad - an awful awful loss - but if this is related to depression (as seems likely for the last player) - the league really needs to demonstrate that this isn’t related to brain trama. that’s why it matters how/why this happened so that as we remember Wade, we know the sport we all love responded if that is the case so this stops happening. IF this is a problem, that woudl be a true tribute to Wade – that the game steps up.
by keepellisingoal on Aug 31, 2011 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
it is important
But not a couple of hours after his family learned of his death from another “source”. There is no need to report this now. Why not wait for the coroner or the police investigator to make a public statement.
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
by bvkv09 on Aug 31, 2011 9:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
don't know if the Toronto press has a protocal for how they report this type matter
agree tbat it would be nice if they waited out of respect for the family. that would be true for all athletes and celebrities. wich they would do that.
by keepellisingoal on Sep 2, 2011 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions
if being first matters
It shouldn’t. Not in a matter like this. This is a disgrace. What if the source is wrong?
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
by bvkv09 on Aug 31, 2011 9:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Unfortunately, the “source” was likely an EMT worker or apartment manager or someone else on the scene early. The Toronto Sun would not put that information on the front page from a less reliable source. It’s the context that matters, too. The third death of an NHL player this off-season, along with Bob Probert’s early death, raises questions about head trauma that the NHL will have to face right now, not delegate to some sort of vague committee for a report.
by Hockey Hillbilly on Aug 31, 2011 9:34 PM EDT up reply actions
like said in another post
It dud not have ro posted tonight. It is disgraceful to the family. They should not have to deal with this. If it didn’t come from the police or coroner it did not need ro be reported. Exactly why do you think the police haven’t released the cause of death?
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
by bvkv09 on Aug 31, 2011 9:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
In addition to that...
We should be careful about using brain trauma as the surefire reason for all of these recent player deaths. There didn’t seem to be any brain trauma involved in former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Flanagan’s recent suicide. There could be many other factors involved in some of these tragedies.
Belarussians play better as a family.......get AK46!
by Grizzledbear on Aug 31, 2011 11:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
not to mention
that there are conflicting reports out about this. I agree 100% with you on this grizz. A lot of people are making a leap that may, or may not, be relevant. Using concussions as an excuse to drag this man’s family through this is pitiful
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
Didn’t Bob Probert die of a heart attack, though?
However, I’m obviously not a doctor and that could very easily be related…
Exactly
We should be extremely cautious about drawing connections.
Managing Editor of On the Forecheck, SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators, and founder of HockeyGearHQ, a site devoted to hockey equipment and accessories. Catch me on Twitter, or join OTF on Facebook!
They updated the article to “found dead”
The Toronto Sun is akin to the Enquirer.
by djzielin on Sep 1, 2011 5:46 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
RIP to the Big Redhead
I’ve been to many of the radio shows down at Blackstone’s over the past three years that
Wade had hosted. Invariably, Wade would show up 20-30 minutes before the show was to start. He would mingle with the fans, truly enjoying himself; just a regular guy.
It was in these circumstances that I met Wade, probably four or five different times at Blackstones. On one of the latter shows, he was again mixing it up with the fans before the show was too start. I walked up to him, and he called me by my name, “Hey, it’s Jeff, right? How’s it been going?” This thrilled me to no end. Just a regular Joe hockey fan, and he remembered my name!
Wade was a great guy. And I know he was going be very successful in his new career in broadcasting. Blessings and prayers to his family.
I know there’s no crying in hockey, but this just makes me want to cry.
RIP Big Guy.
by NashvilleDodger on Aug 31, 2011 8:11 PM EDT reply actions
I am in shock...
This summer has been so bad to be a Preds fan, but with all the drama, nothing has made me feel so down as this…R.I.P Wade…you are not replaceable. I don’t even know what to say.
Truly at a loss for words
RIP Wade. My thoughts go out to him and his family during this tragic time.
"Next time someone tells you Nashville’s not a hockey town, tell ‘em to come to Smashville and try some of the home cookin’." - TSN Broadcaster
by Go_Titans_Preds_USC on Aug 31, 2011 8:30 PM EDT reply actions
For some levity...
This summer has to be the worst hat trick ever!
(I apologize in advance for my bad humor)
A somber “boo hiss”.
Belarussians play better as a family.......get AK46!
by Grizzledbear on Aug 31, 2011 8:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
IT DOES MATTER
how he died, especiially considering the other deaths and their young age. this is a terrible tragedy and if their is a common thread it needs to be addressed.
you are absolutely right
That it does matter how he died, but please explain how knowing that several hours after he died will impact anything. Do you think thjat the NHL will announce a formal investigation into this tonight. This family, especially the children, need time to mourn and collect themselves. This in no way to treat this man’s family
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
by bvkv09 on Aug 31, 2011 9:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
OF COURSE NOT
and certainly the speculation should be stopped. i was merely disagreeing w/ chris saying how he died was unimportant. maybe unimportant tonight, but it is important.
by predswilrule on Aug 31, 2011 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions
calm down....
we ALL loved Wade here. ALL you’re seeing is concern for why this happened becasue we all care….no one here has been disrespectful to Wade or his family.
by keepellisingoal on Sep 2, 2011 2:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for posting this
"I'm a firm believer that in life, if you're happy then happy things will happen for you."--Bernie Parent
Part Predator, part Lightning.
I was sad enough, earlier...
…..I feel even worse as the speculations continue to come out.
I can't believe this...
Just turned on the net and saw a headline, “Former NHL’er Found Dead” and I thought to myself, who could it be this time…
The last person I expected it to be was Wade Belak.
He was so gregarious and full of life.
I’m stunned right now…
Rest In Peace Wade and my condolences and prayers go out to his family and friends.
What happens on the ice...stays on the ice...
In total shock...
I first met Wade at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft in Hartford. I remember getting him to sign the back of a Whalers poster from the year before that they were handing out like candy that weekend. He was a huge man in that bright blue Nordiques jersey. I was 13 years old and totally in my glory getting the opportunity to collect autographs from these guys all weekend long. It was the coolest thing ever!
Late last season I came across that poster in a box of memorabilia I’ve collected over the years. Time has not treated it well, but I was able to still make out several signatures…one of which was Wade’s! A couple of days later when I was renewing my season tickets at the arena, Wade was sitting at a table signing autographs and I told him about it. He looked at me and was honestly stunned. He didn’t remember the draft was in Hartford initially, but quickly realized it recalling all of the activities he had participated in that weekend. He told me that that was definitely a keeper as his signature was likely 1000x clearer then than it was today. He laughed as he told Tom Callahan and I that when you play in Toronto you quickly learn to write the first letter of your name and a big line, then put your number down to save your hands.
I had several interactions with Wade over the years and I’m happy to have had those interactions. He was a great man that made you smile and laugh. He brought an infectious energy and zeal to everyday life. I’m in a total state of shock tonight.
R.I.P. Wade. You will be missed.
Predators Hockey: Live it, Love it...
Follow me on Twitter: @SLakePreds
Truly stunned and sad!
what a Great guy. always loved the way he went out of his way to make people feel at ease. i was looking forward to listening to his new show. the hockey world has lost a wonderful person. we have always called my son " little B " because of Wade.GOD bless you wade and your family!. we truly are praying for your entire family.
Last Memory A Great One
Hung out with Wade at the Motely Crue/Poison Concert on 7/3. We had a great time. He, as usual, was the life of the party! I just can’t believe it. I hope the “source” is proven to be wrong, it just doesn’t make ANY sense.
Very saddened
“The cause of death is unknown, and honestly, unimportant. Speculation can only be unproductive and disrespectful.”
I agree totally, hopefully we can have a Wade Belak Remembrance ceremony here in Nashville! I was really looking forward to his radio show.
http://www.drinkatwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/TEAM-OLBO.jpg
RIP Wade
Thoughts are with his family friends, team and the fans.
Respect from a Coyotes fan.
by Udontwannaknow on Aug 31, 2011 10:15 PM EDT reply actions
My favorite Wade memories
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVRGO6zqUME
Wade’s face at the 1:27 mark is priceless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzQj31fVycU
At 0:18 Belak became one of my favorites Remember this like it was yesterday.
After the floods. RIP big guy. you will be missed
The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~ Lord Jeffrey
Belak is the only Predator to have died, correct?
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
Zholtov (can’t recall his first name), who played for us during the 2004 playoffs, also passed away a few years ago while playing in Russia. Had a heart condition, IIRC.
Belarussians play better as a family.......get AK46!
by Grizzledbear on Aug 31, 2011 11:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Our most sincere sympathies from South Florida. Just a great human being who touched the hearts of all the fans in his short stay with the Panthers.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
Tough luck for the Belaks
The truth is always the right answer....
by Pekka for Predator Pontiff on Sep 1, 2011 1:40 PM EDT reply actions
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