Orca Wiesblatt, a 25-year-old pro hockey player from Calgary, died in an automobile accident over the weekend.
Wiesblatt, whose family moved to Calgary in 2013, spent a large part of his junior hockey career playing for the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen as well as the AJHL’s Brooks Bandits. He spent the 2024-25 season playing in the FPHL for the Athens Rock Lobsters, who shared the tragic news on social media Monday morning.
“We are heartbroken to share the passing of former Rock Lobster, Orca Wiesblatt. Orca will always be remembered for his energy, toughness, and infectious smile,” his team said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wiesblatt family and all who loved him.”
Wiesblatt was set to play for the Allen Americans of the ECHL for the upcoming season.
“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.”
The Hitmen, who Wiesblatt spent parts of four seasons with from 2017 to 2021, also paid their respects on social media regarding the tragic incident.
It is with great sadness that we mourn the tragic passing of former Calgary Hitmen Player Orca Wiesblatt.
We are heartbroken for his family, friends, and everyone that knew and loved him. On behalf of the ownership, management, coaches, players, and staff of Calgary Sports and… pic.twitter.com/gt87E0WH1H
— Calgary Hitmen (@WHLHitmen) September 15, 2025
The Wiesblatt family is well known in Calgary, as Orca, along with his three brothers, Ocean, Ozzy, and Oazis, have had tremendous success in hockey.
Ozzy was selected in the first round of the 2020 draft by the Nashville Predators and made his NHL debut during the 2024-25 season. Oazis is coming off a 103-point season with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the WHL, while Ocean also spent the 2024-25 campaign in the FPHL.
The Wiesblatts garnered plenty of attention five years ago when they were featured in a Sportsnet Home Team Heroes segment, where they discussed being raised by their mother, Kim White, who is deaf. White taught her four boys sign language at a very young age.
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