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Less league hockey player Orca Wiesblatt died in a car accident in Canada Over the weekend, his agency and former team confirmed Monday. He was 25.
O2K Sports Management released a statement confirming Wiesblatt’s death.
Orca Wiesblatt (28) from Calgary Hitmen in action against Edmonton Oil Kings during a WHL game at Seven Chiefs SportsPlex in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, March 27, 2021. (Derek Leung/Getty Images)
“With heavy hearts we mourn and share the sad news that Orca Wiesblatt tragically has died. Orca was an incredible person both on and off the ice. He brought his passion for it Game of Hockey Along with kindness, humility and his love for family everywhere he went, ”the statement reads.
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“Together with his siblings, Orca helped raise awareness of the deaf community and highlighted the importance of learning and using American sign language. Orca will be deeply missed by everyone at O2K, and our thoughts are with the Wiesblatt family in this incredibly difficult time.”
Wiesblatt played for Athens Rock lobster from Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) last season. The team released a statement confirming that the young player died “after a traffic accident” in British Columbia early Sunday morning.
Other details about the accident were not immediately known.
Orca Wiesblatt (28) from Calgary Hitmen takes a shot at Ian Scott (33) from Prince Albert Raiders during a WHL game at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, December 1, 2017. (Derek Leung/Getty Images)
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“Orca will always be remembered as one of the players who helped set the tone of our franchise in its very first season,” team president Scott Hull said in a statement. “His passion for the game and his contagious energy made him a fan favorite and a real teammate. But more than it was Orca an even better person off the ice – friendly, humble, and anyone was all grateful to know. We are destroyed by this loss and our thoughts are with his family.”
According to the team’s site, Wiesblatt was a Calgary inborn that played hockey in several smaller and junior leagues, including the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL). He signed with the Allen Americans in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) last month before the start of the new season.
Orca Wiesblatt (28) from the Calgary Hitmen skates against Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, February 17, 2020. (Marissa Baecker/Getty Images)
“We are all heart -bred,” said head coach and general manager Steve Martinson. “Orca (Wiesblatt) really looked forward to this next step in his hockey career. He wasn’t just good, he was a momentum that changed hitter. I can still see his laugh when he would return to the bench after one of his big hits. That’s what we’ll miss most, his contagious smile.”
Wiesblatt is one of five siblings and the son of two deaf parents. All four sons played hockey, and despite the financial matches that their mother was facing raising them alone, they were able to continue to pursue the sport at an elite level.
Ozzy Wiesblatt, Orca’s younger brother, debuted in NHL for Nashville Predators in January.
