Ex-NHL enforcer Wade Belak remembered as upbeat, loud and fun

[CHIMO]

With his gregarious personality and sense of humour, former NHL player Wade Belak charmed his colleagues and television audiences off the ice while using his 6’5” heft to establish a tough-guy reputation on the rink.

It was a surprise to those who knew him when he was found dead on Wednesday afternoon in a hotel suite.

He is the third NHL enforcer to die in four months, a trend that is prompting questions about whether the deaths are linked to their role in the league.

Mr. Belak, 35, who retired from playing earlier this year, was in Toronto training for a stint on CBC’s Battle of the Blades this fall. Local police said the body of a man was discovered in a suite at One King West, an upscale hotel and condominium building in the financial district, around 1:40 p.m. The cause of death was not released, but police said foul play is not suspected.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/former-nhl-enforcer-wade-belak-found-dead-in-toronto/article2149262/

[shockedcanadian]

1. R.I.P

As a long suffering Leafs fan Wade Belak had a refreshing attitude. The guy always seemed likeable and it was unusual to feel they made a bad decision when they let him go to Florida as he was "only" an enforcer (if I recall even Cliff Fletcher was angry at the time as they had to dump salary and many other. less likeable players couldn't be moved due to their no trade clause).

He only scored a couple of goals over eight years in Toronto but he was always a fan favourite. He was funny in front of the camera whether it was Off the Record with Michael Lansberg or his funny interview clips with media reporters. His teammates were never shy to talk highly of him, he was obviously well liked in the dressing room.

It's hard not to root for a big, funny enforcer who never took himself too seriously. I hope he found peace.