Ice hockey star Wade MacLeod dies at the age of 38 after battling cancer

Ice hockey star Wade MacLeod dies at the age of 38 after battling cancer

A sad day for the ice hockey community in Germany: Wade MacLeod, an outstanding ice hockey player, has died at the age of 38. The former star of Starbulls Rosenheim and Löwen Frankfurt had been battling a brain tumor since 2013, from which he finally lost. His wife Karly announced the sad news via Instagram on September 13, 2023. The diagnosis caused a real effort that spanned many years and several operations, with the tumor being treated in a total of six procedures, most recently in February 2025.

Wade MacLeod was a familiar face in the DEL2. After being on the ice for the Starbulls Rosenheim in the 2015/16 season and for the Löwen Frankfurt in the 2017/18 season, he was originally supposed to sign a contract with the Dresdner Eislöwen in 2018. But a relapse of the illness made it necessary to put this plan on hold. The people in Dresden and Frankfurt actively supported him with fundraising campaigns. The Ice Lions' decision not to give away his shirt number 19 in the 2018/19 season was particularly sensitive, thereby reserving a place for him in the hearts of the fans.

Fight against the disease

The cancer turned out to be aggressive and persistent. In 2016, MacLeod's hopes of a move to Löwen Frankfurt were put in jeopardy when he was diagnosed with a tumor again. Fortunately, it grew like a tumor, but was benign and could be removed. In his final playing season, MacLeod scored 25 goals and 24 assists in 56 games for the Lions - an impressive performance that underscored his passion for the game.

Believing he had beaten the disease, he left the DEL2 scene in 2019 and played in England for Manchester Storm and in Norway. However, in 2022, he ended his career to spend more time with his family. His wife Karly and two daughters Ava and Georgia leave a legacy marked by the solidarity of hockey fans in recent years.

The legacy of Wade MacLeod

In September 2023, during a camping trip, MacLeod suffered a stroke, which confirmed the return of the malignant tumor. A complicated operation was able to remove 60 percent of the tumor, but the prospect of a complete cure was slim. After his death, DEL2 honored MacLeod in a moving statement and expressed its condolences to the bereaved families. The Lions Frankfurt and the Dresdner Eislöwen are remembering MacLeod and there are plans to hold a minute's silence at an upcoming game.

Wade MacLeod will be remembered as a fighter - not only on the ice, but also in the fight against his illness. His passion and determination will serve as an example to many. Even in difficult times, he showed what it means to never give up. His loss will be keenly felt throughout the hockey world.