Sergi Zholtok dead at 31.

[Red Baron 0]

TSN.ca Staff

 

11/3/2004

 

Sergei Zholtok, a centre who finished the 2003-2004 NHL season with the Nashville Predators, died Wednesday in Latvia.  He was 31.

 

A third-round pick of the Boston Bruins in 1992, Zholtok played 588 NHL games for six teams, scoring 111 goals and 258 points.

 

Zholtok was playing for Riga in Latvia this year and Zholtok excused himself from a game in Belarus with five minutes left and collapsed and died on the way to the room. 

 

Zholtok was forced to the sidelines a couple of times last year with mysterious health ailments that included dizziness and fatigue.  RDS is reporting that he suffered from cardiac arrhythmia.

 

Zholtok had his greatest success with the Minnesota Wild, scoring a career-high 42 points in 2002-2003, then following up with 13 points in 18 playoff games as the Wild made an improbable run to the Western Conference Finals..

 

He also played for Ottawa, Montreal and Edmonton in the NHL.

 

It's ashame that someone dies during his career. A great faceoff person, and underlooked.

 

RIP Zholtok

[the max 0]

 

No fucking way.

 

One of the most underrated players in recent NHL seasons. He was instrumental in the Wild's run in 2003 to the Conference Finals.

 

He'll be missed, most definitely.

 

RIP Sergei.

[Guest King Cobra]

Quote:

(CP) - Veteran NHL player Sergei Zholtok died Wednesday of an apparent heart ailment. He was 31.

 

Zholtok was playing hockey fsor the club team in his home city of Riga, the Latvian capital, when he became ill near the end of a game. European news reports say he suffered from cardiac arrhythmia. Zholtok was drafted by Boston in 1992, 55th overall, and played 588 NHL games with the Bruins, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, Minnesota and Nashville. The Predators acquired him last March.

 

"We are all saddened and shocked to hear of Sergei's sudden passing," Nashville general manager David Poile said in a statement released by the club. "He was a hard-working 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."

 

The six-foot-one centre, called Zholi by teammates, scored 111 goals, assisted on 147 and drew 166 penalty minutes during his NHL career. He had a career-best 26 goals for the Canadiens in 1999-2000.

 

 

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.

 

After missing seven games, he was cleared to return to the lineup.

 

Zholtok was a key forward for the Wild during their unexpected playoff march that spring.

 

"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 GM Doug Risebrough.

 

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."

 

Zholtok was a member of the Latvian team that won silver at the 1994 world hockey championships, and in subsequent tournaments helped his country retain its A Pool status. He was on the Commonwealth of Independent States team that won gold at the 1991 world junior tournament.

 

Three years ago, Zholtok and fellow-Latvian Arturs Irbe, at the time a goalie with the Carolina Hurricanes, helped set up an online auction of hockey memorabilia to benefit abused children in their homeland. They arranged to have pucks, sticks and equipment autographed by more than 115 NHL players from 18 teams for sale to the highest bidders. It was a lot of work but they cherished the cause. 

 

 

Source: Slam.canoe.ca

 

Wow. I didn't see this coming. I'm sure most of the people here hadn't even heard of Sergei Zholtok before now, but I had. He is a former Edmonton Oiler, he came to us in 200, but he was traded to Minnesota the next year. Yeah, sure he wasn't my favourite player and I didn't follow his stats or anything. Still, its a shame when a player dies before his prime has passed. Last year it was Dan SNyder, who died in that car crash, this year it is Sergei Zholtok who was a very skilled player.

[CanadianChris 0]

This is now the third thread with this news in it.

 

http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/index.php?showtopic=63054

 

http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/index.php?...ic=57377&st=420

[Guest King Cobra]

Sorry. Didn't see it.

[Red Baron 0]

It's hockey.

 

Hockey/Soccer and any foreign sport gets pushed aside for useless Baseball stuff.

[CanadianChris 0]

True dat. Do we really need a half-dozen baseball free agent threads?

[Red Baron 0]

No, but people would think its justified, but it becomes more cluttered, which they argue.

 

Why can't it be more organized and thoughtful discussion like we did in the Stanley Cup playoffs thread

[nl5xsk1 0]

It's hockey.

 

Hockey/Soccer and any foreign sport gets pushed aside for useless Baseball stuff.

If I hadn't already pledged to keep my signature blank to the NHL, this quote would INSTANTLY become my signature. Good stuff.

[nl5xsk1 0]

I remember Zholtok when he was a Bruin, way back in the day ... I'm not stunned to see that he's passed, he had been experiencing problems in the past, but I am saddened to see him go. I just pray that it was natural, and not caused by external influences.

 

RIP Sergei, and best wishes to his widow & two sons.

[MARTYEWR 0]

RIP. I liked him a lot during his tenure with the Senators. Very sad and shocking to hear.