Quick Facts
| Full Name | Wade William Belak |
| Date of Birth | July 3, 1976 |
| Birth Place | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Nick Name | The Intimidator |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac Sign | Cancer |
| Death Date | August 31, 2011 (aged 35) |
| Death Place | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Listed Height | 6’5″ (196 cm) |
| Listed Weight | 223 lb (101 kg) |
| Build | Athletic |
| Father’s Name | Lionel Aadland (Biological father) Barry Belak |
| Mother’s Name | Lorraine Belak |
| Siblings | A younger brother, Graham Belak |
| Education | St Vital’s Catholic School Battleford Junior High North Battleford Comprehensive High School |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Wife | Jennifer Jordan Russell (m. 2002) |
| Kids | Two daughters; Andie and Alex |
| Profession | Ice hockey player |
| Position | Right Wing/Defenceman |
| Affiliations | Colorado Avalanche Calgary Flames Toronto Maple Leafs Coventry Blaze Florida Panthers Nashville Predators |
| Active Years | 1996–2011 |
| Shot | Right |
| Net Worth | Career earnings of $8.6 million |
| Merch | Autographed Hockey Card, Autographed Rookie Card |
| Last Update | August, 2022 |
Wade Belak, formerly known as the “monster on the ice,” was equally amusing thanks to his indisputable sense of humour. Since making his professional debut in 1994, he has been the defensemen of choice for Toronto’s supporters.
He was in the National Hockey League for almost two decades (NHL).
Additionally, the athlete had experience playing for groups like the Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Coventry Blaze, and Colorado Avalanche.
Belak, in actuality, is someone who disputes losing. He had the fierce drive for achievement that every athlete has, but his career accomplishment is noteworthy.
Childhood,Family And Education
On July 3, 1976, Wade William Belak was born in the constellation of Scorpio. The NHL star was reportedly born at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Wade was also a child of Lorraine and Lionel Aadland. But when his mother eventually wed Barry Balek, he adopted his last name.
Wade’s mother, Lorraine, remarried when he was just four years old.
After his mother’s marriage lasted for two years, they relocated to Battleford. Balek started attending St. Vital’s Catholic School when he was six years old.
He then enrolled in North Battleford Comprehensive High School and Battleford Junior High.
Wade also has a younger brother named Graham Belak, who was born on August 1st, 1979. The Colorado Avalanche first drafted his brother, who is also an ice hockey player.
He was selected in the second round of the 1997 draft and has only played for a few lower-level leagues. Graham abandoned his employment in order to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as a police officer in 2006.
How did Wade Balek Start His Career?
Early in 1992, when he was 16 years old, Balek started his career. He began his career playing with the Saskatoon Blades in the Western Hockey League. Balek played in only a few games during the first season and contributed zero points.
However, the 1993–1994 season was when he made the transition to a full-time player and began recording goals.
In his second season, he participated in 69 regular-season games and 16 playoff games. He recorded four goals and 17 points during his time there.
Wade also participated in the 1994 NHL Draft, where the Quebec Nordiques selected him first.
Colorado Avalanche (Quebec Nordiques)
Following their relocation to Denver, Colorado, Quebec Nordiques became the Colorado Avalanche. Wade made his professional debut in the AHL playoff games because he was selected with the 12th overall pick.
He played in 11 playoff games for the 1994–1995 season and just regular season games for the 1995–1996 season. Similar to this, he only defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in his NHL debut.
Wade also recorded his first NHL point in the contest with the Washington Capitals. Wade played for the Hershey for 28 games in addition to his Colorado games.
Calgary Flames
Wade was transferred by Colorado to the Calgary Flames on February 28, 1999. He was exchanged for Theoren Fleury and Chris Dingman together with Rene Corbet and Robyn Regehr.
Wade first played 12 games with the team’s AHL affiliate, the Saint John Flames. Wade made his NHL debut on March 27, 1999, when the Calgary Flames played the Phoenix Coyotes.
Following that, he beat the Phoenix Coyotes once more for his first team goal. Then, for the playoff games, he retired to the Saint John Flames.
Toronto Maple Leafs
On February 16, 2001, Belak signed a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs after being released following the 2000 campaign. Wade made his team debut the next day against his old team, the Colorado Avalanche.
Wade recorded his first point against the Chicago Blackhawks on February 25, 2001.
The next year, in April, he made his postseason debut while scoring the game-winning goal against the Islanders ten days later.
Additionally, the 2002–03 season—during which he scored three goals in 55 games—was noted as his most productive one. Wade continued and started the game for the Coventry Blaze of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL).
He won the EIHL Second All-Star Team award while playing in the league. Additionally, he scored for the first time in 143 games on December 4, 2007, against the Predators.
Florida Panthers
Wade spent seven seasons with the Leafs until being transferred on February 26, 2008, to the Florida Panthers.
hE only had a notable career with the Panthers for two seasons, appearing in a total of 27 games.
Wade faced the Toronto Maple Leafs in his first game with the franchise, and for the entire two seasons, he was unable to register a point.
Nashville Predators
Wade later joined the Nashville Predators on November 27, 2008 in exchange for Nick Tarnasky. After that, on November 28 against the Atlanta Thrashers, he recorded his first play for the franchise.
Wade remained committed to beating his old team, the Colorado Avalanche, on December 8. Wade was placed on the waived list on February 25, 2011, following a couple years on the line.
He was with the Predators for the games because no team claimed him, though. Wade was then given to the American Hockey League’s Milwaukee Admirals.
hE Belak ended his 14-year NHL playing career on March 8, 2011, because of pelvic arthritis. hE continued to be a member of the Predators’ team despite it.
Injuries and Suspension
As an athlete, Wade, like everyone else, didn’t have an easy time making the shift. He suffered his fair share of wounds and setbacks, each of which acted as a roadblock.
Belak suffered an abdominal injury against the Edmonton Oilers in 2003. Following that, on January 6, 2004, he experienced knee pain while playing against the Nashville Predators.
Belak’s reckless stick handling has kept him out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in addition to his injuries.
When Wade hit defenseman Ossi Vaananen with a reckless, two-handed slash during a game back in March 2004, the NHL slapped him an eight-game suspension.
Wade said that he was unbalanced when the NHL expressed their viewpoint and the sentence for Belak.
“I believe that the timing prevented me from having a fair opportunity.. I am aware that we need to take responsibility for our sticks. But I wasn’t intending to harm him in any way. Being compared to Bertuzzi is a little unfair.
Dodge Belak
How did Wade Belak Died?
In the world of sports, popularity and achievement coexist with ongoing emotional and physical suffering.
The sources claim that Wade committed suicide on August 31, 2011, at a condo at the One King Street West hotel in Toronto. The Toronto police reported that he committed suicide, contrary to popular belief, which held that his death was an accident.
Furthermore, according to Wade’s family, he had long-term depression. Wade was said to have had a good day prior to his passing and had even planned to hang out with his buddies.
He was discovered dead three hours after the plan, at at 1:33 p.m.
Since no one could discover his internal conflicts while he was still alive, they decided to settle with him and call him a happy man.
Who knew, though, that the carefree hockey player was in trouble. Wade had experienced the hardships of his trade, as many claim.
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CTE Diagnosis
In addition, Wade’s wife, Jennifer, had disclosed that he had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
She also observed a change in her husband’s demeanour during the past few years while he was playing for the Nashville Predators, as he no longer tolerated the noises made by his kids.
He also noticed a decrease in his memory, necessitating the necessity for him to take notes on everything.
Not to mention, Wade acknowledged to taking happy pills during an interview with Canadian sports journalist Michael Landsberg prior to his passing (anti-depressant).
He had actually been utilizing it for four to five years at the time.
Wade was also working to make his condition known to the world, Michael claimed. After that, P.J. Stock made the suggestion that his demise might not have been a suicide and Belak’s parents concurred.
Stock then apologized and said he had no more knowledge of the man’s passing.
Wade’s death was the third untimely death of an NHL enforcer that involved suicide overall.
Before him, 27-year-old Rick Rypien and 28-year-old Derek Boogaard had committed suicide. Indeed, the NHL was greatly harmed by all those deaths.
Funeral Service and Tributes
On a soggy Sunday, they held Wade’s funeral service in a private ceremony at Woodmont Christian Church. It took place in Nashville with the participation of his friends, family, and former teammates.
Wade adopted us as his own. He was incredibly happy to have joined the Blaze. You would never have realized that he was a superstar who was playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world when he came over. He was a persona bigger than life. We all stayed in touch with him, and we’re all devastated by his passing.
Chairman of Blaze Andy Buxton
It’s really sad. He was always able to see the broad picture and was overjoyed to be retiring. After playing for so long, he was relieved to be moving on and looking forward to being able to unwind and enjoy it.
How was the Networth Value of Wade Belak?
Wade Belak’s net worth is unclear, however he made $8.6 million in his career. Additionally, in 2010 he earned an average salary of $575,000.
What is the Relationship sattus of Wade Belak?
On July 20, 2002, Belak and Jennifer Jordan Russell became husband and wife. His personal life and their love story are largely unknown. Wade, according to Jennifer, was a committed man and a devoted parent.
Andie, born in 2004, and Alex, born in 2006, were the couple’s two daughters. Both of them were born in Toronto. Indeed, Jennifer’s life was severely impacted by Wade’s passing.
She apparently learned of her husband’s passing while picking up her children from school, via his agency.