Hockey_gal
New member
Shocked when I heard the news. Still can't believe it. RIP Wade.
Wade Belak found dead
- Thread starter Scot4bz
- Start date
hockeyfan1
New member
"As everyone knows there have been some real losses that we've experienced over the years, but it never seemed like there was three in a row like this," said Pat Quinn, who coached Belak when he played in Toronto. "Anybody that's around this game, you feel like it's part of your big family, and that includes the fans and all the people that support these players and get to know them. We've lost a lot in the last three months.
"You don't replace it. You just hope the ones that are left behind can live through it and be all right."
It was during Belak's next NHL stop in Toronto, where he spent the next six-plus seasons, where the player realized he had a future in the league.
"That's where I learned to play forward and defence," Belak told the Toronto Star in May of this year. "I knew my role was the enforcer type, but I learned a lot of things along the way from people like [former NHL tough guy] Warren Rychel."
...the grind of the job had given Belak arthritis in his pelvis and he chose to end his playing career.
There were hospital visits, cortisone shots and needles directed into his midsection followed a three to four days of recovery.
He went on to launch a career in media as a sideline reporter for radio during Predators broadcasts while collecting his salary of $575,000 US.
Quinn last saw Belak in the spring and thought his former player was sure to find success in the new endeavours.
"He was very excited that he was having an opportunity to maybe change his career and get into some commentating work," Quinn said. "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.
"He's certainly a good-looking face ? he's a handsome guy ? and one that could speak and speak well. What a great combination."
From: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2011/08/31/sp-ybelak-death.html
"You don't replace it. You just hope the ones that are left behind can live through it and be all right."
It was during Belak's next NHL stop in Toronto, where he spent the next six-plus seasons, where the player realized he had a future in the league.
"That's where I learned to play forward and defence," Belak told the Toronto Star in May of this year. "I knew my role was the enforcer type, but I learned a lot of things along the way from people like [former NHL tough guy] Warren Rychel."
...the grind of the job had given Belak arthritis in his pelvis and he chose to end his playing career.
There were hospital visits, cortisone shots and needles directed into his midsection followed a three to four days of recovery.
He went on to launch a career in media as a sideline reporter for radio during Predators broadcasts while collecting his salary of $575,000 US.
Quinn last saw Belak in the spring and thought his former player was sure to find success in the new endeavours.
"He was very excited that he was having an opportunity to maybe change his career and get into some commentating work," Quinn said. "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.
"He's certainly a good-looking face ? he's a handsome guy ? and one that could speak and speak well. What a great combination."
From: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2011/08/31/sp-ybelak-death.html
Hockey_gal
New member
http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/1047590--former-leafs-enforcer-wade-belak-found-dead-in-toronto-hotel?bn=1
The hockey world was left reeling after popular former Maple Leaf enforcer Wade Belak was found dead in a Toronto hotel on Wednesday.
Police responded to a call saying a body was hanging in a room at the tony 1 King West hotel and condo building where Belak was staying while rehearsing for CBC?s Battle of the Blades. A body was taken out of the side entrance at 7:40 p.m. and loaded into a waiting minivan
The hockey world was left reeling after popular former Maple Leaf enforcer Wade Belak was found dead in a Toronto hotel on Wednesday.
Police responded to a call saying a body was hanging in a room at the tony 1 King West hotel and condo building where Belak was staying while rehearsing for CBC?s Battle of the Blades. A body was taken out of the side entrance at 7:40 p.m. and loaded into a waiting minivan
Kessel Run
New member
Rest in peace Wade. You weren't one of the best players on the ice, but you sure were one of the best off of it.
darcy tucker16
New member
Jesus Christ! WTF is happening to these guys???? I think the NHL is gonna have to do better transitioning guys to retirement and having some support things in place.
My thoughts are with his wife and kids at this horrible time.....
My thoughts are with his wife and kids at this horrible time.....
TheMightyOdin
New member
I am completely stunned by this news.
RIP Wade
RIP Wade
leafsjunkie
Member
RIP Wade. What sad and shocking news. =\
Can't say I've ever been more saddened by the loss of an NHL player than I am today. He was such an outgoing and charismatic individual. I wish the media would put the fighting debate aside for a day and just let the hockey world mourn this loss. More than anything, my heart goes out to his wife and two little girls. Absolutely tragic loss.
louisstamos
Active member
I really, really don't want to believe this. I can't understand how to believe this. Wade Belak seemed like the very last guy who would do something like this to himself...he had so much going for him. 
R.I.P Wade. You were a fan favorite here for a reason...
R.I.P Wade. You were a fan favorite here for a reason...
LittleHockeyFan
Moderator
absolutely awful. there's just no words. i feel just terrible for his wife and two little girls.
As I think we all were, I was absolutely shocked at the news. Unbelievable. With the other two enforcers, while their deaths were shocking as well, at least there were serious indications they were at risk. Belak seemed like the last one you would think could end up this way. He had a family, seemed set up well to transition to broadcasting, a great sense of humour, he was well-liked and respected. It's depressing.
RIP Wade and condolences to his family - this has to be horrible for them.
RIP Wade and condolences to his family - this has to be horrible for them.
Stronger Than All
New member
I still don't understand this whole thing like everyone else.
RIP Wade.
My condolences to the family.
RIP Wade.
My condolences to the family.
I'd seen or heard a couple of interviews with him in the past week. I also read a variety of articles since. He was very well liked by his teammates and coaches.
He had a media deal in Nashville and was there Monday as his usual joking self. TSN was also talking with him recently about doing some media work with them per Pat Quinn. He had this battle of the blades thing going on and his immediate family was apparently happy about that. It's not like he was a forgotten man with no career options ahead of him. Fans and people who saw him the night before saw nothing unusual and he wasn't impaired.
There are no reports of marriage or financial troubles so far.
From our 'distance' as a fan, it makes absolutely no sense.
I liked the guy and like many, I'm shocked and saddened.
He had a media deal in Nashville and was there Monday as his usual joking self. TSN was also talking with him recently about doing some media work with them per Pat Quinn. He had this battle of the blades thing going on and his immediate family was apparently happy about that. It's not like he was a forgotten man with no career options ahead of him. Fans and people who saw him the night before saw nothing unusual and he wasn't impaired.
There are no reports of marriage or financial troubles so far.
From our 'distance' as a fan, it makes absolutely no sense.
I liked the guy and like many, I'm shocked and saddened.
maplesyrup
New member
Autoerotic asphyxiation has crossed my mind (only because he seemed so well adjusted.) Though that in itself isn't exactly a well adjusted" thing to do I suppose...