Wade Belak facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wade Belak
Belak pictured warming up during his time with the Nashville Predators
Born	(1976-07-03)July 3, 1976 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Died	August 31, 2011(2011-08-31) (aged 35) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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 Aadland; July 3, 1976 – August 31, 2011) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played as a forward and defenceman. Wade was chosen 12th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft. He played for several teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). These teams included the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, and the Nashville Predators. Belak was most known for his role as an enforcer, a player who protects teammates and boosts team morale.

Wade Belak's Hockey Journey

Early Career with Saskatoon Blades

Wade Belak started his WHL journey with the Saskatoon Blades. He was just 16 years old. In his first season (1992–93), he played seven games. He became a full-time player for the Blades in the 1993–94 season. That year, he scored four goals and 17 points in 69 games. He also had a team-high 226 penalty minutes (PIM). After this season, the Quebec Nordiques drafted him 12th overall in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

In the 1994–95 season, Belak played all 72 games. He scored four goals and 18 points. He also finished fourth in the league with 290 penalty minutes. He returned to the Blades for the 1995–96 season. He scored three goals and 18 points in 63 games. He again led his team with 207 penalty minutes.

Joining the NHL: Quebec Nordiques and Colorado Avalanche

Wade Belak first played professionally in the AHL playoffs in 1995. He played for the Cornwall Aces. The Quebec Nordiques had sent him there. He had a goal and three points in 11 playoff games. In 1995, the Nordiques team moved to Denver, Colorado. They became the Colorado Avalanche.

Belak spent most of the 1996–97 season with the Hershey Bears. He had one goal and eight points in 65 games. He also had a team-high 320 penalty minutes. He made his NHL debut with the Colorado Avalanche on December 21, 1996. He played five games with Colorado that season.

In the 1997–98 season, Belak scored his first NHL goal and assist. This happened on October 22, 1997, against the Washington Capitals. He played eight games with Colorado that season. On February 28, 1999, the Avalanche traded Belak to the Calgary Flames.

Playing for the Calgary Flames

Wade Belak started his time with the Calgary Flames by playing for their AHL team, the Saint John Flames. He played 12 games there in the 1998–99 season. He made his Flames debut on March 27, 1999. He earned his first point as a Flame on April 1, 1999.

Belak spent the entire 1999–2000 season in the NHL. He played 40 games for Calgary. He had two assists and a team-high 122 penalty minutes. He got a shoulder injury in February 2000. This made him miss six weeks of games. On February 16, 2001, the Toronto Maple Leafs picked up Belak.

Time with the Toronto Maple Leafs

Wade Belak played his first game for the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 17, 2001. He scored his first goal as a Maple Leaf on February 25, 2001. This was his first goal since 1997. He finished the season with one goal and one assist in 16 games for Toronto.

In the 2001–02 season, Belak played 63 games for Toronto. He scored one goal and four points. He also had 142 penalty minutes, which was second highest on the team. He made his playoff debut on April 18, 2002. He scored his first playoff goal on April 28, 2002. He played 16 playoff games for Toronto.

His most active season was 2002–03. Belak scored three goals and nine points in 55 games. He also had a team-high 196 penalty minutes. He had some injuries in the 2003–04 season. He played 39 games, getting one goal and two points.

During the 2004–05 NHL lockout, Belak played for the Coventry Blaze in England. He had seven goals and 17 points in 42 games. He was named to the EIHL Second All-Star Team. Belak returned to the Maple Leafs for the 2005–06 season. He played 55 games and had three assists. He also had 109 penalty minutes. In 2006–07, he played 65 games with Toronto. He had three assists and 110 penalty minutes.

Belak started the 2007–08 season with the Maple Leafs. On December 4, 2007, he scored a goal. This ended a long 143-game streak without a goal. He played 30 games with Toronto that season. On February 26, 2008, the Maple Leafs traded Belak to the Florida Panthers.

Final NHL Teams: Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators

Wade Belak finished the 2007–08 season with the Florida Panthers. He played 17 games for them. His first game as a Panther was against his old team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. He started the 2008–09 season with Florida. On November 27, 2008, the Panthers traded Belak to the Nashville Predators.

Belak played his first game for the Predators on November 28, 2008. He got his first point as a Predator on December 4, 2008. He finished the season with two assists in 38 games for Nashville. In the 2009–10 season, Belak played 39 games. He had two assists.

Belak played his last NHL season in 2010–11. He played 15 games for the Predators. On February 25, 2011, the Predators put Belak on waivers. He then retired on March 8, 2011. He retired because of arthritis in his pelvis. He stayed with the Predators in a team role.

Personal Life

Wade Belak was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. His birth name was Aadland. His mother married Barry Belak when Wade was four. Wade then took the Belak last name. When he was six, his family moved to Battleford. He went to school there. His younger brother, Graham, also played hockey. Graham was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in 1997.

On July 20, 2002, Belak married Jennifer Jordan Russell. They had two daughters. Both were born in Toronto, one in 2004 and the other in 2006.

Death and Legacy

Wade Belak passed away on August 31, 2011, in Toronto. He was 35 years old. He had been getting ready to be on the show Battle of the Blades. His death was one of three NHL players who passed away in a short time. The others were Derek Boogaard and Rick Rypien.

Wade's mother said that he had been dealing with depression. A Canadian sports journalist, Michael Landsberg, said he had talked to Belak about depression a week before his death. Belak had said he was taking "happy pills" for several years. Belak's family members have said they believe his death was accidental.

Belak's funeral was held in Nashville. Friends, family, and former teammates were there.

After his death, doctors found that he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This is a brain disease linked to repeated head injuries. Other NHL enforcers who died with CTE include Derek Boogaard and Rick Rypien.

Career statistics