Former NHL right wing Walt Poddubny has passed away in his hometown of Thunder Bay. He was 49.

The cause of death is unknown, but - citing a source close to the family - the Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal reported Poddubny collapsed at the home of his sister late Saturday morning.

http://nationalpost.pa-sportsticker.com/default.aspx?s=nhl-news-display&nid=A375729411237691824A

The Hockey News had an article on this, focusing on the plight of retired NHL'ers. Rick Vaive said he has been out of work for over a year.

The Hockey News had an article on this, focusing on the plight of retired NHL'ers. Rick Vaive said he has been out of work for over a year.

I am sure a lot of the older players might not really have anything to fall back on except the connections they made during their playing days. If you find a link to that article feel free to share.

DOn

here it is - http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/24648-THNcom-Blog-Poddubny-passing-illustrates-troubles-for-retired-players.html

Thanks for sharing. I like this part as it might have made a difference of course as it said fell on deaf ears.

When he was a member of the NHL Players’ Association executive committee in the late 1980s, Vaive suggested that rather than paying players a lump sum pension amount of $250,000 when they turned 50 years old (and had played 400 games in the league), they should have an option that instead would allow them to be paid, say, $50,000 a year for the five years immediately after they retired.

As Walt never got to see any of his dollars.

DON