Orca Wiesblatt, 25, killed in car crash as hockey community mourns

Orca Wiesblatt, a 25-year-old Canadian forward who had recently signed with the Allen Americans of the ECHL, was killed in a car crash on Sunday in British Columbia, his new team and former league officials said.

Wiesblatt rose through the Western Hockey League with four seasons for the Calgary Hitmen before moving into the professional ranks last year with the Athens Rock Lobsters, where he recorded 42 points in 37 games. He had signed with the Allen Americans over the summer and was expected to make his debut when the 2025-26 ECHL season begins next month.

"We are all heartbroken," Allen Americans head coach and general manager Steve Martinson said in a team statement. "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 Western Hockey League also issued a statement praising Wiesblatt's contributions and noting the broader impact of his family on the league. Wiesblatt was one of four brothers from a prominent hockey family; his younger brother Ozzy Wiesblatt currently plays in the NHL with the Nashville Predators. Two other brothers, Ocean and Oasiz, played in Canadian junior leagues and Oasiz and Ozzy each won WHL championships, the league said.

Born to two deaf parents, all four Wiesblatt brothers are fluent in sign language, a fact the WHL highlighted in its tribute. Teammates and coaches described Orca as a player whose physical style of play and energy affected momentum on the ice while his scoring pace in Athens underscored offensive capability beyond his role as an enforcer.

Wiesblatt spent four seasons with the Calgary Hitmen in the WHL before turning professional last year. His 42 points in 37 games with the Athens Rock Lobsters drew attention from ECHL clubs, and his signing with Allen this summer was billed as a step toward continued advancement in North American professional hockey.

The Allen Americans did not release details about the crash, and authorities in British Columbia had not provided a public update by the time the team announced Wiesblatt's death. The team asked for privacy for Wiesblatt's family during the initial period of mourning.

Wiesblatt's progression followed a path familiar in Canadian junior hockey: solid play in the WHL, a transition to minor professional leagues, and a hope of climbing the ranks to higher professional opportunities. His death has prompted condolences from across the hockey community, including former teammates and league officials who recalled his work ethic, physical play and presence in the locker room.

No public plans for memorials or tributes had been announced by the Allen Americans at the time of the team's statement. The season-opening schedule for the ECHL is due to begin next month, and the organization indicated it would work with Wiesblatt's family and teammates to determine appropriate ways to honor his memory.

Wiesblatt is survived by his parents and his three brothers. Further details about the crash are expected as local authorities complete their investigation and release official findings.