12/21/24
August 31, 2011
NHL enforcer Wade Belak found dead: National Hockey League veteran Wade Belak, who played 15 NHL seasons and recently retired, was found dead today in a Toronto hotel. Belak's death, 35, follows closely the deaths of NHL players Rick Rypien and Derek Boogaard. All three were considered enforcers.
This is starting to sound like an episode of Law and Order. George Parros has to be shaking in his boots...
posted by MeatSaber at 07:43 PM on August 31, 2011
This is indeed disturbing.
posted by Drood at 08:12 PM on August 31, 2011
and you hardly hear word one from the commissioner about any of it
Of course not .. none of those issues have immediate financial impact and money is the entire focus of the commissioner. I hear concerns expressed by the media on a daily basis but it's as if the NHL is unaware or could care less.
posted by cixelsyd at 11:07 PM on August 31, 2011
and you hardly hear word one from the commissioner about any of it
I'm not sure what the commissioner can do. One is a pain-killer overdose, and the other two are suicides.
They have programs set up to help players with drug use and depression (as Rypien had used), but short of forceable confinement and mandatory mental health testing for all players, there isn't much the NHL can do.
posted by grum@work at 08:59 AM on September 01, 2011
Joint statement from NHL and NHLPA on recent deaths.
posted by wfrazerjr at 04:20 PM on September 01, 2011
First off, my condolances to the family and friends of these hockey players. It's very sad news.
But on a lighter note, with the conspiracy part of the thread earlier, has anyone seen Greg Maddux lately? hmmm, just saying/lol.
posted by jagsnumberone at 10:50 PM on September 01, 2011
has anyone seen Greg Maddux lately?
This is a very interesting theory. Maybe hookers are getting stale, and he's targeting enforcers because they can "fight" back?
posted by MeatSaber at 11:07 PM on September 01, 2011
Goddamn it. I like Wade Belak. What the fuck?
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 12:07 AM on September 02, 2011
No, Weedy. You liked Wade Belak.
posted by The_Black_Hand at 08:00 PM on September 02, 2011
Sad news. I liked Belak a lot when he was with the Leafs; he was tough, but kind of a goof as well. Very fan-friendly player.
There are some systemic issues that have gone unaddressed in the league; the offseason news this year is current players who have been found dead, talks of substance abuse and top guys (Crosby, Savard) whose return to the ice from catastrophic injuries is up in the air...and you hardly hear word one from the commissioner about any of it.