ECHL forward Orca Wiesblatt, 25, dies in car accident in British Columbia; recently signed with Allen Americans for 2025–26 season

Orca Wiesblatt, a 25-year-old professional hockey forward who had just signed with the ECHL’s Allen Americans, died in a car crash in British Columbia over the weekend, his team and the league said Monday(September 15). Tributes poured in from the Americans, the ECHL, his former clubs, and teammates who remembered him as a gritty, high-energy player.

Wiesblatt was a Calgary native. He spent parts of four WHL seasons with the Calgary Hitmen (totaling more than 100 points across his WHL tenure), made his professional debut with Pensacola in the SPHL in 2023, and had a breakout season with the Athens Rock Lobsters in 2024, where he recorded 42 points 17 goals, 25 assists in 37 games. He had been signed by the Allen Americans in early August for the coming ECHL season.




Steve Martinson, the Americans’ head coach and general manager, said the organization was shocked and devastated by the loss, calling Wiesblatt a player who “was really looking forward to this next step in his hockey career” and noting his “infectious smile.”

The ECHL released a league statement expressing condolences and confirming that Wiesblatt, who had signed with Allen for the 2025–26 season, died in an automobile accident over the weekend at age 25. The league also summarized his recent playing history, including his standout season in the FPHL and prior junior career in the WHL.

The Athens Rock Lobsters described him as a member of their inaugural roster, remembered him as a fan favorite with grit, energy, and an unforgettable smile.

The Allen Americans plan to honor Wiesblatt at the club’s home opener match. Details about memorials or additional tributes from teams were not immediately available beyond statements of condolence.