NHL Breaking News: Wade Belak Found Dead
by Bryan Winters on Aug 31, 2011 5:59 PM EDT
in NHL News
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PrintTwo times was clearly not enough for the summer that led to the death of three NHL players. Wade Belak was found dead in his Toronto hotel room on Wednesday evening. At the age of 35, Belak retired from the NHL in March after his career with the Avalanche, Flames, Maple Leafs, Panthers and Predators.
There was no official cause of death released from Toronto Police.
Belak was recently announced to appear on CBC's Battle Of The Blades this coming September. Belak also appeared on Fan 960 in Calgary last week, and he spoke about the Rypien and Boogaard death's. He stated that he felt great after his NHL career and that he was never concussed during his career.
His death comes just two weeks after Winnipeg Jets forward, Rick Rypien passed away. Belak's death is the third in a span of four months.
More to come when we know it.
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Just read a bit ago.
This is just unbelievable. It’s been such a tragic offseason for this sport.
Just… Unbelievable.
RIP, Wade.
Retaliation is related to nature and instinct, not to law. Law, by definition, cannot obey the same rules as nature. - Albert Camus
Maybe this is something the NHL should look into and start protecting its players from
I’m not talking about fighting or getting rid of head shots, I’m talking about the psychological damage that playing hockey could do to you. Getting pounded like they do for almost nine months out of the year with any real rest has got to take its toll on a person, no matter their physical condition
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
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The NHL and the NHLPA both need to look into this.
Players and past players clearly need to be provided with better counseling and off-season help for their problems.
Retaliation is related to nature and instinct, not to law. Law, by definition, cannot obey the same rules as nature. - Albert Camus
As adults, people should take care of themselves. Should counciling be available to people who want it? It is, anyone can go see a shrink.
Enough with the gov or union should take care of people, like they ever do anything efficiently or well.
by GAThingy on Sep 1, 2011 3:11 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Why?
I mean this is unreal in terms of hockey players dying this year. Forget year only a matter of months. I don’t get this. These are young guys.
John Tortorella on 24/7 will be like Ari Gold on Entourage.
I am the f*cking game pal - Johnny Drama
You wanna hug it out? Let's hug it out bitch - Ari Gold
I practice Prustbyterianism
by RichieToGabbySCORE on Aug 31, 2011 6:18 PM EDT reply actions
Unfortunately, the discussion needs to be had.
One death was a coincidence. Two could be a coincidence, as well. Three? All fighters?
Don’t see the coincidence anymore.
These guys are constantly on painkillers for what they put their bodies through game in, game out. I am a STRONG pro-fighting person as I think it keeps the game clean. But the discussion is valid and does need to be had.
One of the first things that should be gone is the whole takedown bullshit. Enough piledriving guys head first onto the ice to show your strength. Cleaning that up might make a huge difference. I’ve seen way too many guys have their heads bounced off the ice when someone tries to take them down in a fight.
Retaliation is related to nature and instinct, not to law. Law, by definition, cannot obey the same rules as nature. - Albert Camus
I can agree with that. Most injuries come from hiutting the ice, like boogs last year.
If you want to fight, great, stand there and fight. You wanna tackle? Extra penalty
by GAThingy on Sep 1, 2011 3:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
RIP
what a shame, obviously for Wade and his family and friends, but also for hockey
let’s hope we can learn something from these tragic losses and prevent them in the future
I listen to Enter Sandman before taking exams. I wear the exact same jersey every Giants game. The Rangers goal song goes off in my head when I achieve small successes in life.
HEN-RIK
by BombersGmenBlueshirts25 on Aug 31, 2011 6:42 PM EDT reply actions
Unbelievable.
RIP Wade.
Condolences to his friends and family. Another hockey player gone too soon.
#12 Carl Hagelin
2008 Suicide Stats in US from CDC
Number of deaths: 34,598
Deaths per 100,000 population: 11.5
Cause of death rank: 11
If you assume 700 players played in the NHL this season, I’d say 3 players passing away like this is more than worthy of formal investigation into off ice treatment for psychological problems and look at substance abuse again.
Problem is hockey players are the ultimate stoic-tough guys among pro athletes, I think it will be tough to change the fabric these guys are cut from. Hopefully some good will come out of all this tragedy and they can do something positive to address this.
Prayers for the Belak family.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Aug 31, 2011 7:01 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Unfortuanelt those stats don’t reflect the high strees nature of some occupations which lead to higher rates, like milittary
Also, boogard wasn’t a suicide and I am sure they haven’t claimed this one as suicide either, so those stats are not really relavant.
by GAThingy on Sep 1, 2011 3:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Belak hung himself, I’d say its relevant.
by Gabby the Gutless Sniper on Sep 5, 2011 5:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
OMG, what is going on? RIP Mr. Belak. I repeat the calls for that clown Bettman to start protecting his players. He’s a real jackass.
I assure you, this has nothing to do with Bettman.
#12 Carl Hagelin
by The Blue Seats on Aug 31, 2011 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions
yes, Bettman is part of the blame (as the Commissioner of the NHL)
But, the NHLPA also has to take blame for not protecting it’s players and former players. When the CBA expires, both sides are going to have to sit down and seriously find a way to take strides in preventing this from happening
"Don't look now, but there's one too many people in this room and I think it's you." Groucho Marx
In Prust We Trust
"Kovalev would work with Tortorella like a kitty would work in a microwave.
A lot of smoke and desperate clawing at the door. It wouldn’t work. It would just be a big, hot mess." -Dig Deep
Follow me @8kpower
by Kevin Power on Aug 31, 2011 9:05 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Which death exactly is a direct result of an on ice occurance, and can it be proven?
by GAThingy on Sep 1, 2011 3:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
There is know cause of death yet. I know and heard of people who have had heart attacks and stokes at younger than 35 that had nothing to do with drugs or depression. For all we know he was poisoned by some chick, not saying that’s what happened but it is possible. Especially when he said he felt great when he retired and was never concussed. So let’s wait for the cause of death before we get our torches and nooses. As for the friends and family once again my deepest condolences too young for this…
by Ranger McJersey on Aug 31, 2011 9:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
This.
Very sad, indeed.
Best Rangers day: May 27, 1994
Worst Rangers day: April 10, 1984
by Stepan the Ice! on Aug 31, 2011 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly.
People do pass away. Fact of life. No legislation or policy will ever prevent it. Sometimes peoe die young, tragic. Someties people smoke and live to 100.
Knee jerk reactions to events never result in a good outcome.
by GAThingy on Sep 1, 2011 3:24 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sad news RIP WB…
I’m not sure the causes of rypien and belak’s deaths, but there was talk after boogaards death about the heavy use of pain killers both over the counter and prescription…
Prescription pain killers are highly addictive and are heavily abused, if both rypien and belak’s deaths were tied to pain killers, it would be no shock that heavy abuse lead to their deaths… it is a terrible thing, and it’s be 3 “Tough Guys” guys whom have taken a beating over their careers, it’s no coincidence…
RIP boys…
@clalicata17
The human body takes so much punishment over the course of playing hockey from age 5 into their thirties.
I loved the game, played the game, had three major shoulder reconstructions, and the pain meds are always out there to take the edge off. It is so easy to abuse these meds, but the pain can be so intense that you can not think straight.
So you take the meds and now you can not think at all. We need to hold the Doctors and pharmacies accountable…..I know people that have multiple doctors to get multiple pain meds, and the pharmacy never questions filling the prescriptions.
Sad to see so many young NHL’s die this summer…..
This is not just an NHL problem, the NFL has the same so called legal substance abuse problem.
Its always someone else’s fault isn’t it?
Presription drugs all come with warnings. Abuse is not the fault of the mfr.
There is a solution, if you keep getting hurt doing something you love, quit doing it. Find another profession.
By thw way, people get injured all the tiime in all walks of life. Someone who likes to run a lot may injure their knee and not be able to run ajymore, should they sue the shoe mfr?
by GAThingy on Sep 1, 2011 3:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
This is really awful. Way too young to leave us.
This is three too many deaths like this. Something’s got to be done.
RIP, to another NHLer. It was reported that this was an accidental overdose death. Pain killer abuse is a problem much bigger than the NHL. It has reached a level of epidemic proportions in certain areas of the country. In S. Fla., the problem is everywhere. Really no wonder we are seeing it at the professional level in sports at this time. Look at baseball and steroids.
What it does come down to is personal responsibility and choice. I will say this, that pain medications are extremely addictive, but when used appropriately, they are an invaluable tool in controlling pain. The problem is they are so easily procured, which leads to the abuse.
Now, what can be done about this at the NHL level, I don’t think a whole lot. It is a legal drug that is being illegally abused. It is not like testing for an illegal substance. We all know how hockey is played, and it takes its toll on players bodies. If you think that this problem is restricted to “Enforcer” type players, you are very mistaken. I think the three tragic deaths in a short amount of time is just an anamoly. Unless you can connect the dots between all three players, maybe same supplier?
I do think maybe the NHL should look into the fact that maybe “Enforcers” go through PTSD.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
This article gives some good insight into the problems some of the “Enforcers” face….
http://www.csnphilly.com/08/31/11/Former-Flyer-Fedoruk-battles-demons-to-g/news_flyers.html?blockID=556996&feedID=704
I am sure the timing of this article is not by accident.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
by nathansfamous on Sep 1, 2011 2:52 AM EDT up reply actions
Hate to say this, but now it is reported that it was a suicide.
PRUSTOSTERONE!!!
by nathansfamous on Sep 1, 2011 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
RIP
Terrible, terrible news.
@DigDeepNYR
"I like a man who grins when he fights." -Sir Winston Churchill
"It's just pain." -Brandon Prust | "In Prust we Trust."
RIP
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My Dear God...
what is going on??? RIP, Wade Belak.
This is really becoming an epidemic. I really do feel there is something else playing into these minds, and a doctor or two or ten may need to start getting arrested.
Sorry to be so emotional, but three of these types of deaths is starting to make think a drug or two is involved alongside of oxycoton. And from Gary Bettman down, someone needs to get to the bottom of this. NOW!
"The winner of the Steven McDonald Extra Effort Award is Number Eight, Brandon Prust!"--Ofc. Colin McDonald, NYPD, April 7, 2011
"I'm a doctor, not a barber, Jim." Dr. McCoy to Captain Kirk
"Thanks, Chris. Enjoy your retirement."
3 is not an epidemic. Neither was aids/hiv when it hit the mainstream news in the 80’s and that was a lot worse than this issue.
It is already illegal to use these without a scrip and dr’s will not prscribe more than safe/normal. If they get them through illegal means, that is no fault of the league or its commissioner.
by GAThingy on Sep 1, 2011 3:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
it must be nice in your world of pure black and white.
by NTB on Sep 1, 2011 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions
What does HIV have to do with this matter?
Pill pushing Doctors are everywhere…..
In your world, we should just sit back and watch as more player die?
People are responsible for their own actions. I don’t believe in “nanny” states.
Even though there are lots of traffic rules and safety measures, thousands die evry year from accidents. Maybe we should ban eveyone from driving?
It is an accident, or as reported above, a suicide, and a unneccary end to someone life. That is sad. But to think gov’t should fix it or some agency or group, is the most uneducated absurd theory there is. These things happen in life, every day. It may not be happy, but absolutely nothibg will prevent it from happening in the future. Anyone who has been through real adversity, or lost a job, etc knows that you alone must make the difference in your life, not the gov’t or gary bettman.
by GAThingy on Sep 2, 2011 12:02 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I have never had a dr push pills on me, always give me other options if available.
Hiv reference was simply the fallacious comment on 3 being an epidemic. They called aids an epidemic, yet it NEVER by definition was.
My point was, people should stop over reacting to everything that happens. Want prof? How much money has your fed gov’t spent on its witch hunt for steroids? And how many convictions? Zero convictions for actual use. And this witch hunt was a knee jerk reaction. Meanwhile, the union is protecting all the users. They are the problem. The players unions are protecting the users instead of helping. If you think people should be helping, its the unions.
by GAThingy on Sep 2, 2011 12:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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