The Penguins have lost a member of their extended family. Zarley Zalapski, the team’s top pick in the 1986 Entry Draft, passed away at the age of 49. The cause of death was not revealed.
Blessed with a chiseled physique, great wheels and marvelous skills, the 6’1″ 211-pounder emerged as one of the Penguins’ top offensive defensemen of the late 1980s and early ’90s. In 190 games with the black and gold, Zalapski tallied 33 goals, 102 assists and 135 points, 11th all-time among Pens’ defensemen.
Enjoying arguably his finest all-around season in 1990-91, “ZZ Top” seemed set for a long and eventful stay in the ‘Burgh.