30. Sergei Zholtok – C
3 Seasons, 210 Games, 48 Goals, 62 Assists, 110 Points
Coming in at number 30 on the list is forward Sergei Zholtok. Zholtok spent 3 productive years with the Minnesota Wild from 2001-2004. After spending his early career bouncing around between the AHL, IHL and NHL, Zholtok found a home in Minnesota. His Wild career was highlighted in the 2002-2003 season playing a major role in the team’s success and the franchise’s first trip to the playoffs. That year the Wild went deep into the playoffs under Coach Lemaire, eventually losing out to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim in the conference finals. To date, this this is the furthest that any Minnesota Wild has made it in the playoffs.
Unfortunately life is much too often too short. Zholtok suffered a cardiac arrhythmia while playing back in his home country of Latvia during the 2004-2005 NHL lockout season. Shortly after leaving the ice with 5 minutes remaining in the game he collapsed. He passed away in the arms of fellow Minnesota Wild, Riga 2000 teammate and Minnesota native Darby Hendrickson. R.I.P.
Previously on our list: