He was one of the few to reach the NHL and live his dream, and Wade Belak did it with smile on his face the entire time.
Belak played 549 games in the NHL with five teams and had a major impact on the hockey world and the Battlefords before his passing in August.
Belak was born in Saskatoon July 3, 1976, and at the age of six, he and his parents, Barry and Lorraine, and younger brother Graham, moved to Battleford.
A few years later, he started hockey and from there developed a passion for the game. He set his sights first on the WHL and later the NHL. His family has always been a lasting support system for him, as Barry has been involved with minor hockey for over 25 years and Lorraine served on the Battlefords Minor Hockey Association board as the referee co-ordinator.
Belak has been honoured by many teams and his old school throughout this season, after the Battlefords were shook up after learning of his passing. He was remembered as a friendly guy with a big heart, described by many as a great teammate and friend.
Belak played all his minor hockey in the Battlefords before joining the WHL's Saskatoon Blades. In 1994, he was drafted 12th overall by the Quebec Nordiques. He latched on with the Hershey Bears of the AHL before breaking into the NHL playing his first game during the 1996-97 season.
After playing in 15 NHL seasons Belak's career came to an end on the ice in 2011, as he retired from the Nashville Predators, but quickly made the transition to the broadcast booth with the Predators.
Belak planned to make Nashville home with his wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters, Andie and Alex. Sadly, he passed away while in Toronto where he was planning to film the television show Battle of the Blades.
Belak is deeply missed, by all those who knew him. He will be remembered for his infectious sense of humour, his caring spirit and the joy he brought to his family and friends.
Belak's memory will live on in the Battlefords, as it is reported the NHLPA Goals and Dreams program will be donating 25 sets of equipment to Battlefords Minor Hockey Association in his memory.
