Former NHL Teammates Pay Tribute To Late RW Marek Svatos, 34

Marek Svatos, a right wing who played seven seasons in the NHL with the Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and Ottawa Senators, died Saturday at the age of 34. The cause of his death remains unknown.

Former NHL Teammates Pay Tribute To Late RW Marek Svatos, 34

Selected by the Avalanche in the seventh round of the 2001 NHL Draft, Svatos had 100 goals and 172 points in 344 games, 316 with Colorado. The Slovakian last played in the NHL in 2010-11 with the Senators.

Avalanche executive vice president and general manager Joe Sakic played with Svatos in Colorado from 2003-09.

“The entire Avalanche organization is extremely saddened by this news,” Sakic said in a statement. “Marek was a tremendous person, a talented hockey player and a great teammate. Our thoughts, prayers and our deepest sympathy to his wife, children and his entire family.”

Tributes poured out on social media Sunday from both Svatos’ former teammates and organizations and leagues he played for, both NHL and foreign:

Both current and former Avalanche players also tweeted their condolences:

After leaving the NHL, Svatos played six games with HC Slovan Bratislava in the Kontinental Hockey League from 2012-13 and 26 games in 2013-14 with his hometown team, HC Kosice, in Slovakia.

Svatos played for Slovakia in the 2006 Turin Olympics, when he was scoreless in six games, as well as in the 2010 World Championships.

Svatos is survived by his wife and two children.

DENVER – NOVEMBER 25: Marek Svatos #40 of the Colorado Avalanche skates during the game against the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center on November 25, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)