Introspection, disbelief surround Belak’s death

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This article was published 02/09/2011 (5495 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO — A feeling of disbelief began giving way to introspection as the hockey world sought to come to terms with the loss of a third NHL tough guy in a matter of months.

Wade Belak’s apparent suicide in a downtown Toronto hotel and condo sent shockwaves through the hockey community, prompting the NHL and NHL Players’ Association to launch an immediate review of its programs to determine “whether concrete steps can be taken to enhance player welfare and minimize the likelihood of such events taking place.”

Belak’s death closely followed those of New York Rangers forward Derek Boogaard and Winnipeg Jets forward Rick Rypien. Apparently the 35-year-old Belak gave off no signs of trouble prior to being found dead on Wednesday afternoon.

“From what I understand right now, there were no warning signs,” NHLPA special advisor Mathieu Schneider said Thursday in an interview. “Maybe we’ll learn something different over the next few weeks. But everyone that I’ve heard from so far is just in shock.”

The alarming news left plenty of questions unanswered: Could anything have been done to prevent it? Is there a connection between the difficult job all three players performed on the ice and the tragedies that claimed them? Should the role of fighting in the NHL be re-examined?

They were asked both publicly and in private by everyone from league executives to fans to other NHL players.

“There was a bunch of us actually golfing yesterday and as soon as we found out, you stop right away and think: ‘This is the third guy already this summer,”‘ said Maple Leafs defenceman Luke Schenn. “It’s hard to grasp and see why it’s happening.”

Belak recently retired after 14 seasons in the NHL and had moved on to a television career. He was in Toronto to appear as a contestant on CBC’s Battle of the Blades and was scheduled to work on game broadcasts for the Nashville Predators this coming season.

With a big personality that matched his 6-foot-5 frame, Belak was universally described as a fun-loving guy that lit up a room with his infectious attitude.

There were no signs of internal struggle or distress — even for those close to him. Belak’s father, Lionel Aadland, last spoke to his son a couple of weeks back and thought he was in good spirits.

“I think the Wade Belak that people in Toronto saw off the ice was the way that we knew (him) his whole life,” Aadland told TV’s CP24. “He had quite a sense of humour and we enjoyed that — as everybody else did. We just never saw anything different.”

Toronto Police indicated they do not suspect foul play and a source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Canadian Press that he hanged himself.

Belak leaves behind wife Jennifer and daughters Andie and Alex. The family will hold a private funeral service in Nashville on Sunday.

 

— The Canadian Press