Wade Belak, Nashville Predators Broadcaster And Former Player, Dies At 35

Belak

Former NASHVILLE PREDATORS forward and defenseman and current radio broadcaster WADE BELAK was found dead TODAY in his TORONTO condominium.  BELAK was 35; a cause of death has not yet been released, although the police said that foul play was not suspected.

BELAK, who retired during last season after declining being sent down to the minor league MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS in MARCH, hosted "BLACKSTONE HOCKEY NIGHTS WITH WADE BELAK" on CITADEL Sports WGFX (104.5 THE ZONE)/NASHViLLE and was ticketed for work at the new PREDS flagship Sports WPRT (102.5 THE GAME) this season, where he was to report from rinkside at home games and host a show on MONDAYS 9-10p (CT).  He played in the NHL for the COLORADO AVALANCHE, CALGARY FLAMES, TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS, FLORIDA PANTHERS, and PREDS during his career.  While playing for the LEAFS, BELAK was a regular guest on CORUS Alternative CFNY (102.1 THE EDGE)/TORONTO and was scheduled to be one of the cast members of the new season of the CBC's reality TV show "BATTLE OF THE BLADES."

The PREDATORS issued a statement reading, "The entire NASHVILLE PREDATORS organization and family is shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely passing of WADE BELAK. WADE was a beloved member of the organization, a terrific teammate and wonderful father and husband who will be greatly missed. 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."

He is the third NHL "enforcer" to die this year, following the death of NEW YORK RANGERS left wing DEREK BOOGAARD of a drug and alcohol overdose on MAY 13th and the passing of former VANCOUVER CANUCKS center RICK RYPIEN, who had just signed with the WINNIPEG JETS, of an apparent suicide on AUGUST 15th.

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