(Image Source: Toronto Sun)

BY: SAM KOROTKIN

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Tragedy strikes the NHL once again. Another player has died. The third death this offseason.

“Derek Boogaard, a forward for the Rangers is dead at the age of 28.”

“Winnipeg Jets center Rick Rypien has been found dead.”

“Wade Belak, a tough guy on the ice, for five different teams before retiring in March was found dead today in Toronto.” (ESPN)

“With the passing of Wade Belak in Toronto on Wednesday shocking does not begin to describe it. For starters, Belak is the third player who played NHL games last season  who has died in the last four months.” (TSN)

Shocking is the word many around the NHL use to describe the string of deaths. But what’s behind them? Is the league or the players association at fault? NHL analyst Tyson Nash took to Twitter…

“Hard for people to understand but retirement is the hardest thing a player will ever go through. Nothing can prepare u for it… Ur entire life is dedicated to hockey and then one day it’s all over and ur kicked to the curb! And the NHLPA does nothing to prepare u.”

Former NHL enforcer Jim Thomson jumped into the argument and told CBC Sports...

"I don’t know if [Rypien] was doing drugs, I don’t know if Wade Belak was doing that stuff, but I do know one thing, the stress, the pressure that puts you into depression, even though you’re retired, it doesn’t go away."

Mental health programs for players are  out there, ex-NHL tough guy Chris Nilan says. But is anyone using them?

“I don’t know if enough players use it. I don’t know if enough players are aware of it, and surely in today’s game I don’t know if enough players think they need it.” (TSN)

Boogaard, Rypien, and Belak were all bruisers. NHL Network analyst Craig Button says that might have played a role in their deaths.

“I think that people are paying very, very serious attention to concussions and blows to the head and the role of the enforcer… I don’t think anybody can stop until we really understand the impact it has not only physically, but emotionally as well.” (TheSpec)

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said this summer that the league will review its programs for substance abuse and behavioral health.

Transcript by Newsy.