Drug Deaths in Hockey Raise Questions

What is behind the death of former Predator Wade Belak, an enforcer who retired in March, ending a career that included five different NHL teams? Just 35 years old, he was found dead this week in Toronto.

Toronto police spokesman Tony Vella said officers found a man dead when they were called to a hotel and condo complex in the early afternoon. No foul play is suspected and an investigation is ongoing.

While any unexplained death of an athlete still in their prime is disturbing, the fact that Belak is the third NHL enforcer found dead since May is especially alarming.

Winnipeg’s Rick Rypien, only 27, was found dead in August 2011 at his home in Alberta. A police official termed it a “sudden and non-suspicious’’ death, but ESPN reports that the implication was that Rypien's mental health issues were directly linked to his untimely death. Teammates and coaches were surprised, as it seemed Rypien had turned a corner in recent months after twice leaving the Canucks during the season for personal reasons. Meanwhile, former Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard, 28, died in May from what was ruled an accidental mix of alcohol and the prescription painkiller oxycodone.

After the first two deaths, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he expected the NHL to review its substance abuse and behavioral health program.

“It’s not only about the deaths, it’s the deaths that surround similar type players,’’ former Flames general manager Craig Button told The Canadian Press. “It’s not just getting hit in the head, it’s everything that goes with that role. I think that people are paying very, very serious attention to concussions.’’

Pro athletes need to be particularly vigilant when it comes to injuries and the use of prescription drugs and alcohol to dull chronic pain. An injury on the field, court or rink can easily turn into a substance abuse problem. Would OxyContin rehab have helped Boogaard? Would treatment for co-occurring disorders have saved Rypien? We’ll never know.

While retired from the game, Belak was set to return to the rink as a sideline reporter on Nashville television broadcasts this season.

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