A rising junior hockey star died in the locker room ahead of Tuesday’s preseason tournament game in Canada, according to reports.
Eli Palfreyman, 20, of Ontario, reportedly collapsed in the locker room during the first intermission of the preseason Ayr Mutual Global Invitational tournament game at the North Dumfries Community Complex, the New York Post reported.
Paramedics could not revive the team’s star forward, who had only recently been appointed team captain. He was in his second season with the team, the Ayr Centennials.
The approximate cause of death has not been released, and the Centennials team said it will not speculate “out of respect for the family’s right to privacy.”
“We are asking for your prayers and support for Eli’s family and each of our players,” Centennials’ Vice President Brian Shantz said 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 would have been double vaccinated and boosted to play. According to Canadian law, all athletes are required to be vaccinated and boosted for the coronavirus to be allowed to enter sports stadiums and arenas.
“Our deepest sympathies go out to Eli’s family and all of his teammates and staff with Ayr. We’re keeping them in our thoughts and prayers,” Peterborough Petes GM Michael Oke said in a statement.
Palfreyman was excited to fulfill his duties as the team’s new captain, and last Friday said, “Me coming back this year — my final year — as the captain, words don’t explain how honored I am to be in this position.”
The 20-year-old player was a 12th-round draft pick of the Peterborough Petes in the Ontario Hockey League Draft back in 2018. And last season, he split his time between the Centennials and the Atlanta mad Hatters of the US Premier Hockey League.
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