A promising 20-year-old hockey captain tragically died midgame Tuesday in his team’s locker room.
Eli Palfreyman, captain of the Ayr Centennials in Canada’s junior hockey circuit, died during the first intermission of his team’s Tuesday preseason game in Ontario, according to a report.
The Ontario native collapsed at the North Dumfries Community Complex, and emergency personnel were not able to save his life, the report noted.
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A cause of death has not been confirmed, and the team will not speculate on one “out of respect for the family’s right to privacy.”
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— Ayr Centennials (@AyrCentennials) August 31, 2022
“We are asking for your prayers and support for Eli’s family and each of our players,” Brian Shantz, the Centennials’ vice president, wrote in a statement.
“Our Centennials organization and the community of Ayr are in mourning. Eli had the best care from our medical staff and quick response from the ambulatory staff.”
Palfreyman was a star forward for the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League team, and he had been named team captain just days before his death, according to the report.
“It’s an honor to wear the C,” Palfreyman said Friday ahead of his second season with the Centennials.
“Me coming back this year — my final year — as the captain, words don’t explain how honored I am to be in this position.”
Flags in North Dumfries Township were ordered to fly at half-mast, and the GOJHL postponed its games for Wednesday and Thursday.
“Thank you for the outpouring love and support for our beloved Captain and beautiful young man Eli,” The Centennials posted to Facebook. “Words can not describe how much it means to his family and our Ayr Centennials Family.”
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“We are all broken but feel your arms around us.”
