BREAKING: Enforcer Wade Belak Found Dead

The Nashville Predators, Belak's final team, have confirmed that he was found dead in a Toronto hotel this afternoon and is dead at the age of 35.

The OPP are not suspecting foul play and there are rumors floating around about an apparent suicide, but nothing is confirmed as of now...

The Predators released this statement:

“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.”

Belak played 15 games last season for the Predators, finishing with 18 penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating. He was placed on waivers by the club in February and retired shortly after clearing waivers unclaimed.

Belak is the third enforcer to die in the last four months and his death is now raising questions about whether or not the roles he, Rick Rypien, and Derek Boogaard have played a role in their deaths...

To remember what Velak was to the game, Jody Vance caught up with Belak during his time with the Preds and continued their "Wade A Minute" riff on LeafsTV...
((HT: jodyvancevids/LeafsTV))


And adventures with Wade Burgundy, Anchorman...


Thoughts to the Belak families and fans...

Vancouver takes care of business, beat Predators

Well, the dream lived for a short time. By winning all three games on Nashville ice, the Vancouver Canucks assured themselves of a berth in the Western Conference finals after beating Nashville 2-1 Monday night.

They won the best of 7 series, 4-2.

It wasn't easy, the Preds actually outshot the Canucks last night 24-19, but Vancouver made their shots count, scoring their only 2 goals in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Vancouver, the West's top seed will get a little rest while waiting to see who they'll face for the right to battle for Lord Stanley's cup. San Jose and Detroit are fighting for that other berth, with the Sharks up 3-2 heading into tonights game in Detroit.

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