Zarley Zalapski dead at 49

[Fantomas]

Zholtok died. Zalapski died. Zednik almost died. Zubrus should be very careful.

 

[jetsforever]

Whoa, so young
RIP

 

[D Wakaluk]

God damn.

One of the most legendary hockey names.

 

[treple13]

Saw a Flames Zalapski jersey a few years ago and was in awe. Best hockey name ever. Sad to hear he's gone so young.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Damn... I am 49 too... Things like this are very alarming.

 

[spintheblackcircle]

Damn... I am 49 too... Things like this are very alarming.

Turning the big 5-0 next year myself. I am totally going to have a mid-life crisis purchase.

Lost two grandparents before they were 55, live life while you can.

 

[Jumptheshark]

I was lucky enough to play about ten pick up games with him when I was about 14 years old and you could see the difference between him and everyone else. Even in pick up games and practice he blew our doors off. I always was amused that we were born in the same birthing ward in Leduc(he was 2 years older them me)

 

[SenzZen]

 

[CornKicker]

RIP homie, I remember trading a ZZ hockey card for a kevin stevens card. cause Zalapsky was a way cooler name.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Aw man! That's so sad to hear. Was one of my favorites growing up solely for that incredible name. Wish I could have gotten a chance to enjoy his play more than I did.

RIP ZZ

 

[Smelling Salt]

Fantastic name, and one of the better offensive dmen of his generation.

RIP ZZ

 

[Royale With Cheese]

Cause of death?

Anyone know? Can not find.

 

[KCC]

That’s so sad. I really am wondering “how” though

 

[BruinLVGA]

Turning the big 5-0 next year myself. I am totally going to have a mid-life crisis purchase.

Lost two grandparents before they were 55, live life while you can.

Me too, in May. Good idea on the mid-life crisis purchase. I would say sports car!

 

[MikeBabcock]

Unfortunate, nobody deserves to die so young.

It's just a shame we never got to see him in the blue and white while he was playing.

 

[Machinehead]

Best name of all-time

 

[Jee]

RIP ZZ.

 

[Jumptheshark]

I just realized he is the second player to die this year that was involved in the 1991-Mar-04 Pittsburgh Penguins Jeff Parker, John Cullen and Zarley Zalapski to Hartford Whalers for Ron Francis, Grant Jennings and Ulf Samuelsson

Parker died earlier this year

 

[FerrisRox]

I just realized he is the second player to die this year that was involved in the 1991-Mar-04 Pittsburgh Penguins Jeff Parker, John Cullen and Zarley Zalapski to Hartford Whalers for Ron Francis, Grant Jennings and Ulf Samuelsson

Parker died earlier this year

Parker only played four games with the Whalers following that trade before suffering a career-ending head injury. In the years that followed, he was plagued by many complications that we now know as the side effects of post-concussion syndrome. At the time of his death, he was one of the 150 former players suing the league for putting profits ahead of the health of its players.

 

[HabsQC]

Zholtok died. Zalapski died. Zednik almost died. Zubrus should be very careful.

Too soon

 

[Former Referee 68]

I was lucky enough to play about ten pick up games with him when I was about 14 years old and you could see the difference between him and everyone else. Even in pick up games and practice he blew our doors off. I always was amused that we were born in the same birthing ward in Leduc(he was 2 years older them me)

Played with ZZ and Dixon in Leduc Minor hockey obviously, ZZ and Dixon Ward from the same Graduating class... ( '86 ) was a great year in Leduc. RIP ZZ

 

[sansabri]

Goddamn that's young. Thanks for the memories, ZZ.

 

[Chainshot]

Damn... I am 49 too... Things like this are very alarming.

I'm closing in on that too. Condolences to his friends and family. 49 is far too young.

 

[Gunnersaurus Rex]

Played with ZZ and Dixon in Leduc Minor hockey obviously, ZZ and Dixon Ward from the same Graduating class... ( '86 ) was a great year in Leduc. RIP ZZ

Grew up in Leduc too. Grad '86 !! First met Zarley in elementary school. Good guy. Remember high school and him going off to the Olympic program. Always felt pride for my hometown with his NHL success. Much too young !! He'll be missed. Condolences to his family.

 

[Zen Arcade]

I was crushed as a kid when the Pens traded him.

RIP Zarley.