Young hockey player dies tragically at just 25 years old.

Some truly terrible news has just struck the hockey community.

According to an official press release from the ECHL, 25 year old Orca Wiesblatt has died after being involved in a car accident over the weekend. Orca was set to play the upcoming 2025-26 ECHL season as a member of the Allen Americans who have released the following statement in response to the news of this terrible tragedy:

"We are all heartbroken," said 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."

This news will have a profound impact on the NHL as well as Orca is the older brother of NHL first round draft pick Ozzy Wiesblatt, who currently plays for the Nashville Predators. Their younger brother Oasiz Wiesblatt is also a prospect for the Nashville Predators and their older brother Ocean Wiesblatt most recently played for Danville Dashers of the Federal Prospects Hockey League.

The Wiesblatt family is well-known in the hockey community thanks in large part to the matriarch of the family, Kim White. Kim overcame the challenges of raising her children as a single mother, while deaf, and was featured in a 2019 video discussing the incredible success she achieved as a mother while facing an incredibly difficult challenge.

This is obviously a terrible tragedy for the Wiesblatt family and my heart breaks for Kim and Orca's brothers and sister. My most sincere condolences go out to Orca's family, friends, loved ones and the entire hockey community.