Posted on 09/02/2011 7:58:27 AM PDT by RitchieAprile
The National Hockey League community was forced to deal with the tragic loss of one of its own again Wednesday after Wade Belak, who played in the League for 14 years, was found dead in his Toronto condominium. Belak was 35.
Although Belak's playing days ended this past season after he was waived by the Nashville Predators in February, he was so popular around the League that it seemed certain he would remain in the public eye. He stayed with the Predators in an organizational role and was set to appear on CBC's upcoming season of "Battle of the Blades" -- a Canadian figure-skating reality show similar to "Dancing with the Stars."
In a statement released Thursday evening, Belak's wife Jennifer said: "We are overwhelmed and deeply touched by the outpouring of compassion and support since Wade's passing. Wade was a big man with an even bigger heart. He was a deeply devoted father and husband, a loyal friend and a well respected athlete. This loss leaves a huge hole in our lives and, as we move forward, we ask that everyone remember Wade's infectious sense of humor, his caring spirit and the joy he brought to his friends, family and fans. The coming days will be very difficult for our family and we respectfully ask that we be allowed to grieve privately."
(Excerpt) Read more at nhl.com ...
Was this a suicide?
Police have not officially confirmed the cause of death, but Belak's father has been told the 35-year-old committed suicide. Lionel Aadland said his son was not showing any signs of depression or anxiety before he took his life.
Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Calls+injured+athletes+grow/5344860/story.html#ixzz1WoAAQSKA
I was afraid of that.
I just read another article which reports that he hanged himself. I hope it was not one of his children who found his body.
I think this is something like the third current/former NHL player to commit suicide in the last 4 months.
Also, late last year, the 14-year old daughter of a former NHL player ( http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=5803294 ).
Mike Flanagan, the former Orioles’ pitcher, too, a few days ago. ( http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6895707/ex-baltimore-orioles-pitcher-mike-flanagan-death-ruled-suicide-medical-examiner ).
When depressed people live in a cultural environment that reeks of desperation, failure, and hopelessness it reinforces their demons.
My guess is that a future statistical analysis of the 2008-2013 half-decade will show not just significant loss of earning power, deep structural unemployment and historically low levels of economic confidence, but also more divorce, abandonment, addiction and suicide.
The concussions received in hockey are just as serious and numerous as in football. As one who has my “bell rung” a few times on the ice, I wonder what role mutliple concussions have played in these tragic events.
Here’s updated info:
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/6923176/lorraine-belak-mother-wade-belak-said-suffered-depression
Asked by the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. on Friday if her son suffered from depression, Lorraine Belak said yes.
“I think he was taking control of that,” she said in a phone interview from Nashville. “He didn’t talk about it all the time or a lot.”
“I really don’t know how to answer that. I don’t know about depression,” she added. “I really am uncomfortable talking about that because I just don’t know enough.”
A person familiar with Belak’s death told The Associated Press on Thursday that he hanged himself at a downtown luxury hotel and condo building. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because details of the investigation were confidential.
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