NHL Player Dies

[andrew_c]

Latvian hockey community, fans mourn death of Sergei Zholtok

RIGA, Latvia (CP) - Latvian hockey players, officials, and fans were saddened Thursday by the death of national star Sergei Zholtok.

The 31-year-old died while playing with Latvian club Riga 2000 in Belarus on Wednesday night. Everyone associated with Latvian hockey was shocked by the news, said Riga 2000 president Viesturs Kozioles, who broke down crying while talking about the forward's death.

"I was really honoured to have him on the team," he said. "He was a patriot for his country and for hockey who never took a shift off and always devoted time to trying to make our young players better.

"He was one of the best players Latvia ever had, and he was a brilliant person, a brilliant character."

Zholtok was popular with Latvian fans, who are among hockey's most passionate. While many NHL players skip the IIHF world hockey championship each spring, Zholtok regularly suited up for Latvia.

Zholtok, along with goaltender Arturs Irbe and defencemen Sandis Ozolinsh and Karlis Skrastins, was one of a handful of Latvians to have a lengthy NHL career.

"He was one of the greatest all time players in Latvian hockey history," said Guntis Keisels, a sports reporter with the country's leading newspaper Diena. "Ten years in the NHL is quite an achievement. He was the best goal scorer, the best forward, Latvia ever produced."

His friends in the NHL were also shocked.

"This isn't something you expect," Islanders centre Alexei Yashin, who played with Zholtok from 1996 to '98 with the Senators, told the Ottawa Sun. "We were close friends and this is hard.

"We used to work out together in the summer from time to time and we also kept in touch quite a bit. We played together on the national junior team (in 1992) in Russia and he was a guy I really respected. I'm going to miss him."

Zholtok's agent Mark Gandler spoke with the player's wife Wednesday night.

"All I can say is I'm in shock," Gandler told the Ottawa Sun. "This guy was just a wonderful person.

"This guy was just a guy who had to work for everything he got. He was such a special person because he had such a great character. He was a leader, but he did it quietly. He wouldn't yell in the dressing room. He'd just go out and get the job done."

Zholtok left the game between Riga 2000 and Dinamo Minsk about five minutes before it ended Wednesday night. He went back to the dressing room where he collapsed and died, Kozioles said.

Paramedics at the arena tried to revive him but were unsuccessful. Zholtok, who was known to have an irregular heartbeat, was 31.

Zholtok missed games a couple of times last year with mysterious health ailments that included dizziness and fatigue. After leaving a game in January 2003, he was kept in hospital overnight for observation. He eventually was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. Wild coach Jacques Lemaire was concerned.

"I don't think he's okay," Lemaire said at the time.

Zholtok was a key forward for the Wild during their unexpected playoff run two years ago. He was traded to Nashville late last season.

"Sergei was a great competitor and a valuable member of our organization for almost three years and will be greatly missed by his teammates and his fans in the hockey world," said Wild general manager Doug Risebrough.

Called Zholi by his teammates, Zholtok scored 111 goals and had 147 assists during his NHL career. He had a career-best 26 goals for the Montreal Canadiens in 1999-2000. He had other Canadian NHL stops in Ottawa and Edmonton.

Zholtok was a member of the Latvian team that won silver at the 1994 B world championship, and in subsequent tournaments helped his country retain its position in the top flight of international hockey. He was on the Commonwealth of Independent States team that won gold at the 1992 world junior tournament.

Zholtok was drafted by Boston in 1992, 55th overall, and played 588 NHL games with the Bruins, Senators, Habs, Oilers, Wild and Predators.

"We are all saddened and shocked to hear of Sergei's sudden passing," Nashville general manager David Poile said in a statement. "He was a hardworking player who was well-liked by his teammates and coaches.

"We extend our deepest sympathies to the Zholtok family, his wife, Anna, and his sons, Edgar and Nikita."

Three years ago, Zholtok and Irbe helped set up an online auction of hockey memorabilia to benefit abused children in Latvia. They arranged to have pucks, sticks and equipment autographed by more than 115 NHL players sold to the highest bidders.

"On behalf of NHLPA members I want to convey our deepest sympathies to Sergei's family, particularly his wife and two sons," NHLPA executive director Bob Goodenow said in a statement. "Sergei was a well liked member of our association and he will be greatly missed by all of us."

The Senators also issued a news release extending their sympathies to the family.

"Sergei was the consumate team player," said team president Roy Mlakar. "He will be remembered in Ottawa for his sincere involvement in our community.

"Moreover, he was a class human being and family man, who will be remembered as such by the Senators family."

[Jaysin]

It has been posted today already....but thanks for posting the whole article

Rip.

[Team2K]

i'll repeat my previous comment on this topic:

[andrew_c]

Ooops, my mistake. Didnt see it posted

http://bb.nsmb.com/newforum/showthre...threadid=49136