20-year-old junior hockey captain Eli Palfreyman died in the locker room Tuesday during a preseason game in Ontario.
The newly-appointed captain collapsed in the first intermission of an Ayr Mutual Global Invitational tournament game on Tuesday night, according to the Toronto Sun. Efforts to revive him at the North Dumfries Community Centre hockey arena and Cambridge Memorial Hospital were unsuccessful, the outlet noted.
“Eli had the best of care from our medical staff and quick response from the ambulatory staff,” Centennials vice president Brian Shantz said in a statement to the Sun. (RELATED: REVIEW: ‘Shoresy’ Is The ‘Letterkenny’ Spin-Off Taking North America By Storm)
A tribute to the late Eli Palfreyman. A charismatic leader, a fierce competitor, everyone’s friend and a forever Centennial. We love you Eli. Deepest condolences to his family, friends and the entire @AyrCentennials organization. #RIPFreyman pic.twitter.com/QGaSy5bw0i
— 519 Sports Online (@519sportsonline) August 31, 2022
Palfreyman was announced as the Ayr Centennials’ captain just a few days before the game, according to CBC. He was initially drafted into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) by the Peterborough Petes in 2018, the outlet reported. Palfreyman went on to play for three different teams in the less-prestigious Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League (GOJHL), according to The Hockey News.
“We are asking for your prayers and support for Eli’s family and each of our players,” Palfreyman’s team said in a statement following his death, the Sun continued. “Our Centennial’s [sic] organization and the community of Ayr are in mourning. We have reached out to mental health and grief professionals to support our players and staff.”
The untimely death of Palfreyman “has shaken everybody,” a local resident told the Sun.
Tributes to Palfreyman were released online en masse throughout Tuesday night and into Wednesday. Flags at his arena were lowered in respect, CBC noted.