This isn't a story of a heartbreaking loss on the ice. This is the story of a heartbreaking loss off the ice.
Sergei Zholtok was a fan-favorite with the Minnesota Wild from 2001-04. Although he wasn't a member of the inaugural team in 2000, his impact was felt during the early days of the franchise.
Zholtok was drafted 55th overall by the Boston Bruins in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft. He appeared in 25 games over two seasons with the Bruins before being picked up by Ottawa. He had his breakout season with the Montreal Canadians in 1999-00, scoring 26 goals. He was traded to Edmonton in December 2000 during a down year in which he scored five goals in 69 games between Montreal and Edmonton.
With his value at a low point, he was acquired by the Minnesota Wild for just a 7th round draft choice. The move gave Zholtok increased playing time on the second-year franchise, including playing the point on the Wild's first power play unit.
Zholton averaged just over 16 minutes of ice time with the Wild during his three season with the Wild with 48 goals and 62 assists in 210 career games with Minnesota. He shared the "C" with Brad Bombadir and Matt Johnson during the 2002-03 season in which Wild broke out, won 43 games and made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
He was a key contributor as the club made a run to the Western Conference Finals, including recording the assist on Andrew Brunette's legendary OT Game 7 goal against Colorado. Zholtok had 13 points in 18 playoff games that year.
Zholtok became the first Latvian to captain an NHL club
He was traded to Nashville along with Bombadir for draft picks in March 2004. He appeared in 11 regular season games and six playoff games for the Predators.
Throughout his career, Zoltoks had a weird medical history. Zholtok was sent to a St. Paul Hospital after he hyperventilated during a game. After a similar incident in 2003, he was diagnosed at Mayo Clinic with a heart arrhythmia but was cleared to play.
Friend and former Wild teammate Darby Hendrickson told the Pioneer Press in 2004 that Zholtok wouldn't have kept playing if he know is health was at risk.
With the NHL lockout in 2004-05, Zholtok elected to play in his native Latvia and signed with Riga 2000 (Latvia). He convinced Hendrickson to join him on the team in Latvia.
On November 3, 2004, Zholtok left a game with five minutes remaining and collapsed gasping for air in the hallway.
Paramedics performed cardiopulmonary resucitation. They attempted to shock Zholtok's heart. Hendrickson saw what was going on and called Wild physician Sheldon Burns, who was familiary with Zholtok's medical history and joined Zholtok as he laid on the floor.
But nothing could be done.
"As difficult as it was, I'm glad I was there. I know he would have wanted me there. I know he would have wanted his father there. He's a guy I loved. I don't relive my final moments with him. I relive the unbelievable moments I shared with him." -Darby Hendrickson
An autopsy determined cause of death was heart failure.
The hockey world mourned the loss of Zholtok. During a game against Minnesota and Nashville, he was honored at center ice in front of a sell-out, misty-eyed Xcel Energy Center.
Sergei's 16-year-old son, Edgar, is comforted by Wild Captain
Filp Kuba while his father is being honored in 2005
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