Longtime NHLer Zarley Zalapski dies at 49

Former NHL defenseman Zarley Zalapski has died at the age of 49.

Ken King, president and CEO of the Calgary Flames, with whom Zalapski spent parts of five seasons, released the following statement:

We are deeply saddened with the news of Zarley's passing. We are proud that Zarley wore the Flames jersey; made Calgary his home following his playing career; represented our alumni executive; and we will always remember him as a member of the Flames family. This is a terrible loss of a man with great character who truly loved the game of hockey. We express our sincere condolences to the Zalapski family.

Zalapski logged 637 games from 1987-88 to 1999-2000 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Hartford Whalers, Flames, Montreal Canadiens, and Philadelphia Flyers, collecting 384 points. His best season came in 1992-93 with Hartford, in which he collected 65 points.