Ex-NHL player Wade Belak found dead in Toronto

 "You always worry about a guy when he retires — is he really prepared," Nashville Predators senior vice president of communications Gerry Helper said. "Wade had so many things going that he had to turn things down because he had so many opportunities for himself."

The Predators organization was not prepared Wednesday to learn that Belak, 35, was found dead in a Toronto hotel room. The cause of his death is still unknown.

According to the Associated Press, Toronto police spokesman Tony Vella said officers found a man dead when called at 1:40 p.m. EDT Wednesday at a hotel and condo complex. Vella said "foul play is not suspected in the ongoing investigation" into Belak's death.

He had been in Toronto to participate in Battle of the Blades, a CBC competition show that pairs figure skaters with hockey players.

"Wade was far our most popular player with the other players, management and staff," said Brent Peterson who was a Nashville assistant coach last season. "He was a terrific, positive, upbeat person and this is an absolute shock."

Belak is the third NHL player from last season who has died this summer, and all three had earned a reputation as a tough guy. New York Rangers player Derek Boogaard, 27, died May 14, and Winnipeg Jets player Rick Rypien, 27, died Aug. 15. Boogaard died of an accidental overdose involving alcohol and a prescription pain medication and the cause of Rypien's death has not been announced, although it has been openly discussed that he suffered from depression.

After starting his career with the Colorado Avalanche in 1996, Belak played two seasons with the Avalanche, three with the Calgary Flames, parts of seven with the Toronto Maple Leafs, parts of two seasons with the Florida Panthers before playing part of three with Nashville. Belak retired soon after he cleared waivers in February.

"We kept him on past when we thought he would play a lot because he was such a great guy and he always went out and did his job," Peterson said.

The charismatic Belak had been hired to do interviews on the bench, plus post- and pre-game interviews on Nashville broadcasts next season. He planned to stay in Nashville.

Peterson saw him two days ago, and Belak's concern was that Peterson still had him penciled into play in Peterson's charity golf tournament.

"He was talking to the radio crew," said Peterson, now Nashville's hockey operations advisor. "And he was telling (coach) Barry Trotz that he was going to make fun of the coaches when he did the interviews."

As jovial as Belak was, he was a tough competitor, a 6-5, 225-pound heavyweight. According to hockeyfights.com, he had 23 fights as a Nashville player and his career high was 17 fights in a season for Toronto in 2002-03. He was known as man who stood up for teammates.

"He could go five games sitting out and go into a game and (fight) with anybody," Peterson said. "He was tough, and in great condition. I used to skate him extra when he didn't play a lot and he always had a good attitude and never complained. He did his job. He was so popular. That's why this is such a shock. … It's just crazy."

Belak, from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and two children, Andie and Alex.

"He was popular with everyone because he was a likable guy," Helper said. "Quick to make a joke, often at at his own expense. Everything was always upbeat."