Wade Belak

Wade Belak
Belak pictured warming up during his time with the Nashville Predators
Born	(1976-07-03)July 3, 1976 Saskatoon, SK, CAN
Died	August 31, 2011(2011-08-31) (aged 35) Toronto, ON, CAN
Height	6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Weight	222 lb (101 kg; 15 st 12 lb)
Position	Right Wing/Defenceman
Shot	Right
Played for	Colorado Avalanche Calgary Flames Toronto Maple Leafs Coventry Blaze Florida Panthers Nashville Predators
NHL Draft	12th overall, 1994 Quebec Nordiques
Playing career	1996–2011

Wade William Belak (born Wade William Aadland; July 3, 1976 – August 31, 2011) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and defenceman. He was drafted 12th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He played for the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL). On August 31, 2011, he was found dead in a Toronto apartment.

Belak made his WHL debut with the Saskatoon Blades as a 16-year-old during the 1992–93 season, getting no points in seven games, along with 23 PIM. In seven playoff games, Belak had no points. He made the Blades as a full-time player in 1993–94, scoring four goals and 17 points in 69 games, while recording a team high 226 PIM. In 16 playoff games, Belak had two goals, four points and 43 PIM. After the season, Belak was drafted in the first round, 12th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

In 1994–95, Belak appeared in all 72 games, scoring four goals and 18 points, while finished fourth in the league with 290 PIM. In the playoffs, Belak had no points in nine games, while recording 36 PIM. He returned to the Blades for the 1995–96 season, scoring three goals and 18 points in 63 games, while getting a team high 207 PIM. In four playoff games, Belak had no points and nine penalty minutes.