Walt Poddubny

Thunder Bay, Ontario - Former NHL player Walt Poddubny has died. He was 49. The cause of his death Saturday wasn't known. The Thunder Bay Chronicle-Journal reported that a person close to the family said Poddubny collapsed at his sister's house, where he was living. Drafted 90th overall by Edmonton in 1980, Poddubny played 11 NHL seasons for the Oilers, Toronto, the New York Rangers, Quebec and New Jersey. He had 184 goals and 238 assists in 468 games and topped the 30-goal mark three times. After finishing his playing career in the American Hockey League with the Worcester IceCats, Poddubny coached the Anchorage Aces in the West Coast Hockey League. He returned home in 2003 to spend time with his children and was involved in coaching and hockey celebrity appearances.