Orca Wiesblatt, minor-league hockey player, dies at 25 in Canada traffic accident
Calgary-born forward had most recently signed with the Allen Americans of the ECHL; clubs and family mourn the loss.
A 25-year-old minor-league hockey player, Orca Wiesblatt, has died following a traffic accident in British Columbia, his agency and former teams confirmed on Monday. The death was announced after Wiesblatt’s family and clubs learned of the incident, which occurred early Sunday morning. Police have not released additional details, and investigators did not immediately disclose a cause of death.
Wiesblatt’s most recent playing stop was with the Athens Rock Lobsters of the Federal Prospects Hockey League (FPHL) for the 2024-25 season. The team issued a statement confirming his death and noting the circumstances described by authorities. Earlier in the offseason, Wiesblatt signed with the Allen Americans of the ECHL, a move that would have marked the next step in his hockey career. A Calgary native, his career spanned multiple leagues, including the Western Hockey League (WHL) and the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL).
"Orca will always be remembered as one of the players who helped set the tone for our franchise in its very first season," Calgary Hitmen president Scott Hull said in a statement. "His passion for the game and his infectious energy made him a fan favorite and a true teammate. But more than that, Orca was an even better person off the ice—kind, humble, and someone everyone was grateful to know. We are devastated by this loss and our thoughts are with his family." Wiesblatt’s former team connections reflect a player who moved through several levels of the sport and left a mark on those around him.
According to the teams and league pages, Wiesblatt was a Calgary native who played hockey in multiple leagues, including the WHL and SPHL, before signing with the Allen Americans of the ECHL last month. His coaches and teammates described him as a momentum-changing presence on the ice with a big smile that lit up the bench after big plays. Head coach and general manager Steve Martinson said Wiesblatt was looking forward to the next step in his career and that his loss would be felt across the organization.
"Orca (Wiesblatt) wasn’t just skilled; he brought energy and character to every game," Martinson said in a statement released by the Americans. "He had a way of lifting teammates with his competitive fire and his positive attitude. We are heartbroken for his family and loved ones."
Wiesblatt came from a family of five siblings and is the son of two deaf parents. His family’s perseverance was cited by friends and former coaches as a hallmark of his drive to pursue hockey at elite levels despite financial and logistical challenges. His younger brother, Ozzy Wiesblatt, has since made his NHL debut with the Nashville Predators, a milestone Kaufman-based reports highlighted in local and national coverage.
The circumstances surrounding Wiesblatt’s death remained under investigation as of Monday, with officials saying only that the vehicle collision occurred in British Columbia early Sunday. His death adds to a somber list of young players whose lives were cut short, underscoring the risks that can accompany a professional hockey career and the personal losses felt by players, families, and the broader hockey community.
As teams and leagues extend condolences, Wiesblatt’s legacy is likely to be remembered for both his on-ice contributions and the advocacy and support he offered to teammates and younger players, including his efforts to raise awareness for the deaf community and the importance of learning American Sign Language alongside his love for the game.
