Another One Gone

On the eve of the 2011-12 NHL Season Preview, this bit of sad news crossed the wire a few hours ago.  Former NHL defenseman Wade Belak was found dead around 1:30 PM this afternoon.  No word on cause of death, but foul play is not suspected.  He had been scheduled to be on the CBC show "Battle of the Blades," the Canadian equivalent of the American show "Dancing with the Stars."  He was also slated to be a part of the Nashville Predators broadcast booth this coming season.

Belak was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round of the 1994 draft.  He would see time with the Colorado Avalanche (the ex-Nordiques), Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and Nashville Predators before announcing his retirement shortly before the 2011 playoffs.  His claim to fame was dropping the gloves, and his time in the spotlight shone the brightest when he was a Maple Leaf.  Off the ice, he was, like most enforcers, a good guy who was more than just a fighter.  Belak parlayed his sense of humor into a segment with Leafs TV called "Wade a Minute," as well as a show on BiteTV called the "Wade Belak Show."