Retired NHL player Wade Belak's death this week was a result of suicide, multiple media reports said Thursday morning, citing police sources.
Toronto police, however, have yet to officially confirm the cause of death.
Const. Tony Vella would only say Thursday that foul play is not suspected in the death.
Belak was found dead in a Toronto hotel complex Wednesday. He was 35.
Belak retired this year after 15 seasons as a pro-hockey enforcer who played for the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators.
He had recently been named as a cast member for the third season of the CBC's Battle of the Blades TV series, which matches hockey players and figure skaters, and was preparing for a new job as a television analyst with the Predators.
Belak was married with two children, Andie and Alex.
Belak grew up in North Battleford, Sask. He joined the league as a first-round draft pick, selected 12th overall by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL entry draft.
Belak is the third NHL enforcer to die in the past few months.
New York Rangers heavyweight Derek Boogaard passed away in May from to an accidental mix of alcohol and painkillers, while Winnipeg Jets forward Rick Rypien was found dead earlier this month from an apparent suicide.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement this week saying Belak “competed to the utmost every minute of his NHL career,” and NHL Players' Association executive director Don Fehr said Belak's “affable personality made him popular with teammates, fans and media, and he was a hardworking, respected member of the association.”
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