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The Captain of the Ayr Centennials junior hockey team, Eli Palfreyman, has tragically passed away during a game on Tuesday night, announced by the team on Wednesday morning.
“The Ayr Centennials are devastated to announce that our captain Eli Palfreyman passed away last night,” Brian Shantz, the (VP) vice-president of the Centennials, said in a statement Wednesday.
“We are asking for your prayers and support for Eli’s family and each of our players. Our Centennials organization and the community of Ayr are in mourning.”
He says the team has reached out to medical staff and grief professionals to support members of the organization and credited the response from Waterloo paramedics.
“Eli had the best of care from our medical staff and quick response from the ambulatory staff,” Shantz wrote.
“Medical doctors will have more answers for us in the coming days. Out of respect for the family’s right for privacy we will not speculate on anything at this very difficult time. Cen’s nation also needs time to heal during this devastating time.”
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Palfreyman was named captain just five-days prior to his tragic death.
The Centennials were scheduled to play the Boston Jr. Bruins at 7 p.m. at the North Dumfries Community Complex, according to the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League’s website.
The game was a part of the Ayr Farmers Mutual Global Invitational Tournament.
The final round of games that were to take place on Wednesday have been cancelled by tournament organizers.
“The GOJHL has postponed all exhibition games for today and tomorrow,” the league wrote in a Twitter post.
“The decision comes as a result of a medical incident that occurred yesterday at the North Dumfries Community Centre. We will provide more information at a later date.”
Eli Palfreyman, pictured below
Our condolences to the family/friends of Eli. May he rest in peace.
We will update this post as more information surrounding the death of Eli comes out.
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