20-year-old team captain dies at rink during hockey tournament in GOJHL

Tragic news has rocked the hockey community as the Ayr Centennials of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League announced that their captain Eli Palfreyman died at the North Dumfries Community Complex Tuesday night.

The young man had just turned 20 years in early July. He was playing in a game, according to the Twitter feed of the Township of North Dumfries and tragedy took place. His passing was confirmed in a team statement late Wednesday morning, but could not say when exactly Palfreyman passed away.

“The Ayr Centennials are devastated to announce that our captain Eli Palfreyman passed away last night,” it reads. “We are asking for your prayers and support for Eli’s family and each of our players. Our Centennial’s organization and the community of Ayr are in mourning.”

Details are lacking on what occurred, but the statement does provide the following information that Palfreyman “had the best of care from our medical staff and quick response from the ambulatory staff. Medical doctors will have more answers for us in the coming days. ”The team isn’t commenting or releasing any other information at this time, “out of respect for the family’s right for privacy” adding that “Cen’s nation also needs time to heal during this devastating time.”

Games at the tournament have been canceled.

Palfreyman was in his second year with the Centennials after playing for the GOJHL’s Kitchener Dutchmen and Pelham Panthers. He played his minor hockey with the Cambridge Hawks and Kitchener Jr. Rangers. He also attended Kitchener private hockey school Victus Academy.

May he rest in peace. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.