Zarley Zalapski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zarley Zalapski |
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Zalapski with Lausanne HC in 2010
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| Born | April 22, 1968 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada |
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| Died | December 10, 2017 (aged 49) Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
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| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) | ||
| Weight | 215 lb (98 kg; 15 st 5 lb) | ||
| Position | Defence | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Pittsburgh Penguins Hartford Whalers Calgary Flames Montreal Canadiens Philadelphia Flyers |
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| National team | .svg){kind=small} Canada |
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| NHL Draft | 4th overall, 1986 Pittsburgh Penguins |
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| Playing career | 1987–2010 | ||
Zarley Bennett Zalapski (born April 22, 1968 – died December 10, 2017) was a talented Canadian ice hockey player. He was a defenceman, which means he played a defensive role on the ice. Zarley played professionally for many years, from 1987 until 2010.
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Zarley Zalapski's Hockey Journey
Zarley Zalapski started his hockey career with the Fort Saskatchewan Traders. This team played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. In his very first season, he scored 17 goals and helped with 53 assists. This gave him a total of 70 points in 67 games.
After playing with the Traders, Zarley spent two years playing for the Canadian National Team. He was a top player, and in 1986, the Pittsburgh Penguins picked him. He was the 4th player chosen in the first round of the 1986 NHL Entry Draft.
Playing in the NHL
Zarley played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for 11 years. He played for several famous teams. These included the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, and Philadelphia Flyers.
During his NHL career, Zarley played in 637 games. He scored 99 goals and made 285 assists. This added up to 384 points in total. He also spent 684 minutes in the penalty box.
Representing Canada at the Olympics
Zarley was part of the Canadian Olympic Hockey team in 1988. The 1988 Winter Olympics were held in Calgary, Alberta. Canada finished in fourth place at these games. Even though Canada did not win a medal, Zarley played an important part. He helped his team win against West Germany and Czechoslovakia.
Playing Hockey Overseas
After his time in the NHL, Zarley continued to play hockey. He played for teams in Germany, Italy, and Austria. He found a lot of success playing in Switzerland. He played in the Swiss National League. Zarley Zalapski stopped playing hockey after the 2009–10 season.
Zarley's Family Life
Zarley Zalapski was the son of Len and Bonnie Zalapski. His first name, Zarley, was quite unique. His dad, Len, loved golf and named him after a professional golfer named Kermit Zarley. Zarley also had a sister named Kyla.
In 2006, Zarley became a citizen of Switzerland. He gained this citizenship through his marriage to his wife, Klaudjia. Together, Zarley and Klaudjia had two sons, named Zen and Kai.
Zarley's Passing and Health
Zarley Zalapski passed away on December 10, 2017. He was 49 years old. He had been sick with a viral infection that caused problems for his heart. He had been in the hospital in October 2017 for this infection.
After Zarley's death, his sister Kyla wanted to learn more about his brain health. Zarley had experienced at least two concussions during his NHL career. Kyla had his brain sent to Toronto for a special study. A brain doctor, Dr. Lili-Naz Hazrati, found that Zarley had a condition called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). This condition is linked to repeated head injuries. She also found more abnormal brain protein in his brain than in another former NHL player who had passed away.
Zarley's Hockey Achievements
- He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 1989. This means he was one of the best new players in the league.
- He played in the NHL All-Star Game in 1993. This is a special game where the best players from different teams play against each other.
