A RISING hockey star has been killed in a horror car crash.
Tributes have poured in for Orca Wiesblatt after his death at the weekend.
Orca Wiesblatt has died after a car crash in his native Canada[/caption]
The crash happened on Sunday in British Columbia[/caption]
The 25-year-old was a Canadian minor league ace.
He was one of four brothers from a well-known hockey family.
Wiesblatt was involved in a fatal crash on Sunday.
It happened in the Canadian province of British Columbia.
He spent four years with the Western Hockey League’s Calgary Hitmen.
The hockey ace then turned professional with the Athens Rock Lobsters last year.
He scored an impressive 42 points in just 37 games.
Wiesblatt then joined the Allen Americans over the summer.
He was due to make his debut when the 2025-26 ECHL season begins next month.
“We are all heartbroken,’ said Allen Americans head coach and general manager Steve Martinson.
“Orca was really looking forward to this next step in his hockey career.
“He wasn’t just skilled; he was a momentum-changing hitter.
“I can still see his grin when he would return to the bench after one of his big hits.
“That is what we will miss the most, his infectious smile.”
The Nashville Predators tribute
The NHL team said in a social media statement:
“The Nashville Predators are deeply saddened by the passing of Orca Wiesblatt, brother of Ozzy and Oasiz Wiesblatt.
“The Wiesblatt family’s close bond, resolve and love for hockey is palpable and inspiring.
“Our organisation is grieving alongside Ozzy and Oasiz, their mother, Kim and siblings Ocean and Oceania.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wiesblatts.
“We’ll continue to support Ozzy and Oasiz during this unthinkable time and ask for respect for the family’s privacy at this time.”
The Wiesblatts are well-known in the hockey community.
Orca’s young brother Ozzy plays in the NHL with the Nashville Predators.
His two other siblings, Ocean and Oasiz, also played in the WHL and the AJHL.
Tributes have poured in after the announcement of his death.
“In many ways, Orca paved the path for his younger brothers,” the Western Hockey League said in a statement
“Ozzy and Oasiz followed him into the WHL and enjoyed great success of their own, both winning WHL championships.
“As a family, the Wiesblatts have made tremendous contributions to the Western Hockey League.”
