Olympian Hockey Player Devastatingly Passes Away at 48

Tragic news from the hockey world today, as Italian hockey player and two-time Olympic athlete Leo Insam has died.

Considered one of Italy's best defensemen, Insam represented his country at two Olympic Winter Games (1994 and 1998) and six IIHF World Championships. He retired from the game after 18 seasons in 2010 due to back injuries, and worked as a hotelier during his post-hockey career.

Hailing from Bolzano in the northern region of South Tyrol, his club career saw him play for four different Italian clubs, with stints in Germany, Austria, and North America, where he played for the BCJHL's Nanaimo Clippers and the WCHL's Tucson Gila Monsters.

No cause of death has officially been announced, but he was reportedly found lifeless in his bed, and that his heart had stopped beating. Insam was 48 years old, and leaves behind three children.