Ex-Penguins player Zalapski dies at 49

Former NHL defenseman Zarley Zalapski died, according to the Calgary Flames. No cause of death was given. He was 49.

Zalapski, a native of Edmonton, played 637 NHL games for the Penquins, Calgary Hartford, Montreal and Philadelphia from 19872000.

“We are proud that Zarley wore the Flames jersey, made Calgary his home following his playing career, and we will always remember him as a member of the Flames family,” Flames president and chief executive officer Ken King said.

“This is a terrible loss of a man with great character who truly loved the game of hockey. We express our sincere condolences to the Zalapski family.”

Zalapski was a member of the Canadian team that finished fourth in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary.

Zalapski was named to the all-rookie team in 1989 and participated in the NHL All-Star Game in 1993.

He was the fourth overall pick by the Penguins in the 1986 draft. He was traded by the Penguins in 1991 to Hartford with John Cullen and Jeff Parker for Ron Francis, Grant Jennings and Ulf Samuelsson.

Zalapski finished his NHL career with 384 points (99 goals, 285 assists) in 637 games.

Canadiens

Rookie defenseman Victor Mete had no trouble exchanging his Montreal jersey for Team Canada colors and an opportunity to compete in the World Junior hockey championships later this month. The Canadiens placed Mete’s NHL career on hold to allow him to compete for Canada. “It’s cool to be here now,” Mete said after arriving for the national junior team’s four-day selection camp in St. Catharines, Ontario. “Hopefully I can make the team and win a gold medal because that was probably the biggest thing I wanted since I’ve been a kid.” Mete said.

Ducks

Corey Perry’s right knee collided with Carolina winger Jeff Skinner Monday and awkwardly bent before the former 50-goal scorer crashed to the ice in a heap. The 2011 NHL MVP has played in 239 consecutive regular-season games and 40 playoff contests since Dec. 28, 2014. Perry now is listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Blues

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo was placed on injured reserve with a lowerbody injury. Pietrangelo, St. Louis’ captain, was injured blocking a shot in a 6-1 win Dec. 9 against the Detroit Red Wings.