Zarley Zalapski dead at 49

[Thehair17]

RIP, way too young.

 

[BrockLobster]

RIP double Z

 

[Iron Mosher]

RIP ZZ

 

[TheAngryHank]

Sad indeed.

 

[BrockLobster]

The articles don't say how he died. Was he sick?

 

[TNT87]

He was part of that huge Penguins/Whalers trade when Ron Francis and Ulf Samuelsson went to the Penguins and helped them win two straight Cups.

Condolences to his family and friends.

 

[Cancuks]

According to Global News he died in his sleep from complications due to a viral infection that he was hospitalized for back in October.

Former Calgary Flames defenceman Zarley Zalapski dead at 49

 

[Former Referee 68]

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.

Then we graduated together!

 

[TampaBayLightning]

Bummer

 

[gordie]

Sad news. I remember when the Pens Drafted him and it was decided it was better for him to play for Team Canada and develop a little bit better under Dave King. He was playing as recently as 2009-2010 in the Swiss League. Good Draft Pick. RIP.

 

[Jumptheshark]

this death hits me for different reasons--played the guy 30 years ago and he is just 2 years older then me

 

[TMLeafer]

Sad news, RIP

 

[Royale With Cheese]

According to Global News he died in his sleep from complications due to a viral infection that he was hospitalized for back in October.

Former Calgary Flames defenceman Zarley Zalapski dead at 49

Wow. We’re born expecting to live until our 80s. Doesn’t always go as planned.

That’s f***ed up. RIP

 

[The Panther]

Wow, shocking. I remember him well, right from the start of his career. He was respected in Calgary during his time there. Awful news.

 

[Hanji]

49? Jesus.

 

[JianYang]

During his brief stint with the Montreal Canadiens he was one of three players on that roster who's name started with a 'Z.' The Habs had Zarley Zalapski, Danius Zubrus and Sergei Zholtok all on the same roster at the same time. Zalapski was gone after 1998, but the other two remained and then the Canadiens traded away Danius Zubrus in 2000 and received Richard Zednik back.

Those four are the only players who's named started with Z in franchise history, and they all overlapped between 1998 and 2000.

I remember him on that habs team because the Habs used 3 dmen on jagr during the playoffs. This meant that zalapski was used as a forward.

 

[FerrisRox]

I remember him on that habs team because the Habs used 3 dmen on jagr during the playoffs. This meant that zalapski was used as a forward.

While the Canadiens won the series, the three D on Jagr plan didn't work at all. Jagr had 4 goals and 5 assists in a six-game series (which was really in five games 'cause the Pens were shutout in game six.)

 

[SourTemplePilot]

I was a kid back in the mid 90's when I met Zarley at a hotel in Dallas. He was very, very nice. I asked him to sign a card and he did. I had two extra's in my binder. He saw them and asked me to pull them out. He signed them too and told me to enjoy the game in Dallas that night. I still have the three signed cards. This was when Dallas played at reunion and all players would walk from hotel to reunion arena for morning skate and prior to games. RIP ZZ. I'll never forget that.

 

[Rick Kehoe]

According to Global News he died in his sleep from complications due to a viral infection that he was hospitalized for back in October.

Former Calgary Flames defenceman Zarley Zalapski dead at 49

If this report is factual, then Zalapski's death was completely unrelated to his pro hockey career. Unfortunately, people of all different professions die young for a variety of reasons. We should be careful about automatically assuming the sport is somehow to blame whenever a former player passes away at an early age.

 

[Iceman]

Ouch... RIP

 

[Thenameless]

That's too young. I have fond memories of drafting him in my hockey pools. May you rest in peace.

 

[Devonator]

My goodness...how awful...I remember when he was a high draft pick I think for the Penguins....that is indeed far to young to pass on...He is younger then me.

 

[hoglund]

So young, was he battling something?

he died from complications of a viral infection.

 

[kudymen]

My favorite hockey name, as many here said already...

49. Unbelievable. RIP

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

RIP.

Best name ever. For a hockey player or otherwise....