November 4, 2004
Sergei Zholtok
Sergei Zholtok, a center for the Nashville Predators, died on Nov. 3 during a championship game in Belarus. He was 31.
Called Zholi by his teammates, Zholtok competed in 588 NHL games since his western debut on the ice in 1992. The skilled Latvian played with Boston, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton and Minnesota before he was traded to Nashville in March. He played 11 games with the Predators, but returned to his home country once the NHL lockout was called.
Zholtok played for Riga 2000 in the championship match-up against Dinamo Minsk on Wednesday night. With five minutes left in the game, Zholtok walked back to the locker room and collapsed. He was pronounced dead in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
A member of the Latvian team that won the silver at the 1994 world championships, Zholtok was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat in 2003. Over the course of his NHL career, he scored 111 goals and had 147 assists.
• Career Statistics From NHL.com
Posted on November 4, 2004 7:31 AMthat i am still morning sergei zholtok death i read it on the computer and that god keep sergei with him and to all his team mate to keep him in memory
Posted by eloisa on November 6, 2004 11:46 AMThis is such a loss, Sergei Zholtok was such a fine young man, we learned to know him personally and are very saddened by this terrible death. God be with you Sergei we all loved you.
Posted by Madeleine Lalonde on November 6, 2004 5:52 PMSergei, you left too soon but you left by doing what you loved most- playing hockey. We will miss you, on the ice and in the neiborhood.
From your #1 French fan.
He was the best latvian forward and I hope that he is in a better place now.I will have him in my memory 4ever and when I have my own kids i will tell them of Sergei with honer.Sergei's latvia's and world's number 1 fan.
Posted by Rolandx on November 14, 2004 6:00 AMSergei will be in the wild's heart forever.I can recall when i got him to sign my wild yearbook.i looked up at him and he smiled i will never forget that, even though they lost that game that smile was still there.. he died doing what he lived for HOCKEY!! I LOVE YOU #33 AND MOSTLY #1!
Posted by Ally on November 14, 2004 7:48 PMAll of the Providence/Boston Bruins players miss Sergei greatly. As a fan, it is extremely hard to get over his death. Even though I didn't know him when he played for the Bruins, I will always remember him as a Bruin. God be with you, Sergei.
Posted by Alexa on November 22, 2004 1:43 PMI may not have known a whole bunch about sergei, bu ti did love the minnesota wild. Sergei was one of my favorite players because of the way he played the game. And because i played like him with much determination. Now that he is gone, I will remember him and pray before every one of my hockey games. May god be with you sergei.
Posted by Bryce Adams on November 27, 2004 8:35 PMWell, he played for many teams (I knew him as a predator) and it's important to remember he died doing what he loved. He was a hockey player, and that's how I will remember him. It's always sad when another player falls.
Posted by Travis Loftis on December 9, 2004 8:45 AMI remember him as a Bruin and was sad to see him leave us in beantown. But even worse yet that he will neve be able to come back. God Bless
Posted by Rick on January 1, 2005 5:24 AMZholi was a great player and a great person, i saw him play and i watched the world cup of hockey with him this year i will deeply miss him and I send my condolences to his family.
Posted by Jordan on January 12, 2005 9:53 AMsergei zholtok was the best hockey player in the nhl this go to the zholtok famaly it is hard to lose someone you love o a heart attack
Posted by eloisa vega on March 24, 2005 7:39 PMGod bless you Sergei......
Posted by Martins on April 3, 2005 9:34 AMRIP, i cant believe we lost you.
Posted by Allan Caesar III on April 12, 2005 1:15 PMHe's the best 4ever!
God bless Sergei Zholtok(33)
4ever he will be in my memory
Your #1 fan from Latvia.
Sergei was a great hockey player. He was a determined person. I was deeply shocked and sad when I heard that he had passed away. He was one of the wild's best players!! u will always be in my memory
Posted by Bao on June 17, 2005 12:47 PMWhat can i say. an amazing Human Being, talented hockey player. He was a star on and off the ice. I send my condolences to his family. I know what it is like to lose a loved one.
Posted by Bao on June 17, 2005 12:51 PMSergei Zholtok was a truly great NHL player. Being a die hard fan and goalie of this amazing sport, it hurts me personally everytime something happens to an NHL player. My deepest condolences go out to his family and I would also like to say he played a wonderful
Minnesota-Anaheim series in 2003.
I wish you had not left but god bless you, Sergei Zholtok.
It hurts me everytime I see you in my computer games.
God bless you.
I will always remember Sergei for his great year (26 goals!) in 1999-2000 with my beloved Canadiens here in Montreal, and all his years here as #34. It was a year when the team was not doing well and he was always an exciting player to have on the ice, you always had hope when Sergei was playing - his attitude was always so great, and when he'd come back to visit the city, he'd always want to know what was going on in all his old hangouts, see all his old friends from his years here - he had a soft spot for us and I had a soft spot for him, followed his career well after he left, always wanted him to do well. My heart goes out to his young family and to all Latvia for their loss.
Posted by Joshua on July 16, 2005 1:38 PMI will always remember Sergei as a hardworking player for every team he played for, the type of player who played with the kind of passion that every team wants out of their players. He was a great person, too, and he will surely be missed throughout the entire hockey community. God bless you, Sergei.
Posted by Ben on August 13, 2005 1:42 PMI'll never forget the great Sergei Zholtok, veteran of the NHL... I was saddened to find out that he was traded from Montreal (my home town)
Posted by Simon Vincent Adams on September 27, 2005 8:42 PMsergei zholtok you will always be number #1 in the minnesota wild locker room it is such a terrible loss for his family god bless number #33
WEll, what can I say...just found out about your death, Sergei...Be in peace...I am crying...
Posted by yevgeniy on November 20, 2005 2:02 AMI remember Sergei as an Edmonton Oiler, though he didn't play much here, he was always a great player with every team he's played with. RIP Sergei, you were an awesome player.
Posted by practical on November 20, 2005 4:49 AMI remember seeing Sergei play in the first Wild game I had ever been to. He became my favorite right there. When I heard that he had died I cried. He was the best player I had ever seen. I miss seeing his smile after he scored a goal. Thank you for everything you did in Minnesota. I love you and will always miss you.
Posted by Jesse on November 20, 2005 12:15 PMi would just like to send my love and condolences to the Zholtok family, sergei, you were a great hockey player, and an awesome person, ive met you lots here in vancouver at your hotel, when i was getting autographs, rip sergei.
Posted by shane on November 28, 2005 5:33 PMGod bless the Zholtok family for their loss. As an avid hockey fan, I couldn't believe I just heard of this tragedy. May this great Latvian Rest in Peace.
Posted by Glenn Sizemore on December 12, 2005 9:23 PMI cant believe such a great hockey player has died in such a tragity. You WERE and ALWAYS WILL BE "MY HERO". May you family be watched over by god.I... I dont Konw how to express my thoughts about the NHL and your familys great loss."WE LOVE AND MISS YOU DEEPLY ZHOLTOLK!" RIP- Wild.
Posted by chelsea gallus on January 12, 2006 9:23 PMI cant believe such a great hockey player has died in such a tragity. You WERE and ALWAYS WILL BE "MY HERO". May you family be watched over by god.I... I dont Konw how to express my thoughts about the NHL and your familys great loss."WE LOVE AND MISS YOU DEEPLY ZHOLTOLK!" RIP- Wild.
Posted by chelsea gallus on January 12, 2006 9:25 PMIm so sorry about what happend to Sergei, Looking back at his card that i have of him in Boston, and remembering all the great memmories of him whilke he was still playing.I wish that God will take care of him, and the memmory of him is alive for years to come by all followers, and non-followers of hockey.
Posted by shirly on January 13, 2006 12:39 AMsergei u paan lun y did u have to go.. i remember when u came to toronto n we used to play hockey at the ACC before the game with the leafs.. me and Tie are deeply saddened..we love u Sergei..
Ps Tie Domi says that he will keep that necklace that you gave him
I enjoyed and always appreciated Sergei's efforts on the ice. He never played for the Devils, but he was always a player to be respected on the ice, as well as off it from the comments within these tributes.
Heaven socred another goal, but why so early in the game of life? GOD Bless you Sergei!
Posted by Al on March 5, 2006 6:21 PMZholtok was always enjoyable to watch - he always seemed to put his best efforts into the game and tried his best when he was on the ice. I enjoyed watching him as a Canadien but hated playing against him as he would get that one goal that would put the habs under.. heh.
Posted by martin on March 28, 2006 4:52 PMYou will be in our hearts forever...
Posted by . on April 8, 2006 7:51 PMIts nice to see all the support on this page for a great player and great person in Zholi. It has been a year n half or so now since the tragedy and goes to show that people will always remember you! thanks for the memories you were a great ambassador to the game and will be forever missed! God bless
Posted by Dusty on April 11, 2006 4:17 AMI remember Sergei as a Minnesota player. He was always my favorite. I cried when I heard he died. It is so sad to lose a player like him. A player who smiles even when the team is losing. He was a better person than he was a player and my prayers go to his family. It must be hard losing someone like Sergei.
Posted by Kristen on May 9, 2006 7:20 PMsergei rest in peace i am keeping an eye on your son edgar hes doing good now in school. I remeber you as a dad you were my neihbir in Minnesota i remmeber having bbq;s with you and tlking about hockey with you it was a good time you also taught me how to be better at hockey i thank you. i will watch over your family and i will keep good friends with eddie.
REST IN PEACE SERGEI NOVEMBER 4,2004 RIP MY FRIEND
Posted by jon on May 11, 2006 11:37 AMIt is 2006.. Even now I remember that eve, those emotions when I found out that Sergei died. I didn't want to believe but the whole country was in mourning.. Why God always takes best? Did HE run short of angels?
I remember 99' World Championship in Norway. U signed me a puck.. I was a 12 years old.. But it meant to me so much. I remember Your smile..
It's backbreaking when I think that family and whole world has lost such a person like Sergejs Zholtoks! Tu busi musu sirdis vienmer! Tu esi musu engelis! We miss You.......
great player we will miss you
Posted by bao on October 27, 2006 7:28 PMZholtok, was the best player, I can't belive even now, that our best player and the great person died, you shouldn't die, you was too young and strong, we all miss you so..
Žoltok! Tu vienmēr paliksi mūsu sirdīs un prātos! Nekad netiksi aizmirsts! (In Latvian language)
Posted by Ilgvars (Latvia) on November 2, 2006 7:20 AMZholtok was an awsome player.. miss ya playin for the wild and watchin u beat the canucks...
R.i.P
I remember growing up playing hockey videogames and always seemed to trade for Zholtok, I started to follow his career more and more and he was one of my fav's, I still miss him on my roster and despite not ever meeting him, kinda miss him anyway. My regards to his family.
Posted by scott on February 1, 2007 4:59 AMIt was always evident that Sergei Zholtok possessed special talents and character. I will never forget watching him with the Minnesota Wild while they made there '03 playoff run. The complete passion he brought to the game was deeply inspiring. I did not know him personally, and I did not find out about Sergei's death until long after it occured, as I was surfing the internet for a Zholtok jersey. Though I solely knew him as a fan, I wept as I read of his tragic death. Its been years since his passing, and I still miss the type of player he was. My heart breaks for his family still today. Thank you for the memories, Sergei. God Bless you.
Posted by Mark Betters on February 19, 2007 10:36 PMi miss ya scoring goals for the wild. R.I.P SERGEI ZHOLTOK
Posted by joe on March 8, 2007 12:18 AMSergei, man, we loved ya, we'll all miss ya, but its great to know your in a better place doin what you lived for. Sergei, may god be with you. We love you. Gone but not forgotten.
R.I.P Sergei Zholtok
Posted by jeremy on March 24, 2007 1:47 AMI loved the way you celebrated a goal. So full of joy. God love
you.
Sorry, posted wrong email address, This is my right one.
Posted by Andrew MacNeill on April 19, 2007 9:04 PMIt was a pleasure watching Sergei play for the Ottawa Senators and was saddened when I heard he died. I was lucky to meet him once at an Ottawa signing in 97' and got his autograph. He was player #16 for the Sens. R.I.P Sergei Zholtok
Yes, Gone but not forgotten.
Best player Latvia ever had! Sergei will be remembered for ever!
Posted by Mikus on May 3, 2007 2:04 PMThe best player! Sergei Zholtok lives in my heart for ever ! Its very sad.. #33
Posted by No0n3 on May 4, 2007 8:22 AMEven now,when almost 3 years have passed since he died,i remember him as a great hockey player..never see him playing in real life,just memories and video..so sad..Sergei you was the best Latvian hockey forward ever..now watching the goals you scored for Latvia in year 2004..there is no one else like you..you're ARE the best!Forever in my memories..goodbye
Posted by m.j.taylor on May 14, 2007 8:32 AMR.I.P Sergei. What a player and such a sad loss. Was playing on my computer games last night and it brought it all back. Class guy.
Posted by Callum Carson on June 3, 2007 8:55 AMSERGEI ZHOLTOK WILL BE IN EVERY LATVIAN's HEART!
Posted by LATVIA on June 7, 2007 10:15 AMHe was a beautiful men..
Posted by Julia on July 6, 2007 5:12 AMSERGEI!!! LATVIA MISS YOU!!!! :(
Posted by LATVIA on July 6, 2007 5:15 AM3 years ago you sat upon a star and waved us with your warm hand and smiled to us with your loveing heart.We were powerless to keep you down here on earth. U said: farewell! But we will never say it back, cause you will live in our hearts 4EVER!
Mēs Tevi mīlam, mūsu eņģeli! :)
What a great guy and great character this man was. We loved him with the Minnesota Wild! RIP Sergei.
Posted by Shaun Truax on March 26, 2008 12:28 AMI remember him in Providence playing for the Providence Bruins and still have his game stick. He was my favorite player and he is missed.
Posted by Heather on April 14, 2008 3:34 PMThank you Sergei, for being my family's friend and neighbor...we were truly blessed to have known you, if only for a short time, and still feel your presence through your wonderful family - Anna, Edgar, and Nikita. I think of you so very often, and know you are missed by so many....
Posted by Anne on April 30, 2008 3:24 PMThank you Sergei for GREAT GAME!!! We miss you:( You always play for Latvian team when be free in spring... I be shocked when watcing tv news..i'm boy but i start crying ;( Adios amigo!
Posted by Kaspars on June 28, 2008 9:47 AMThanks Sergei! The Senators, and Ottawa community have not forgotten you. RIP
Posted by Adam on August 8, 2008 6:51 PMAmazing player, even more amazing person.
R.I.P