Ontario Junior A tournament cancelled after young player tragically passes away
Tuesday night in what was supposed to be another normal night at the rink featured a game between the Boston Junior Bruins and the Ayr Centennials. Sadly, after the first period, things were not so normal. 20-year-old Eli Palfreyman, the newly named captain of the Centennials, said he wasn't feeling well during the first intermission. Shortly after, he collapsed and paramedics were called to the arena where they performed life-saving measures on the captain.
Palfreyman, was transferred to the local hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead. His passing was announced this morning by team Vice President Brian Shantz. In a statement Shantz said, "The Ayr Centennials are devastated to announce that our captain Eli Palfreyman passed away last night. 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. Eli had the best of care from our medical staff and quick response from the ambulatory staff."
The Greater Ontario Hockey League announced this morning that they remainder of the tournament has been cancelled following the passing of Palfreyman. Alongside the cancellation of the tournament, the township of North Dumfries, where the tournament was being played, announced that the flags at the community center and rink have been lowered to half-mast in honour of Palfreyman.
Our condolences go out to Palfreyman's friends, family and teammates during this difficult time.
