Less than a week after being named captain of the Ayr Centennials of the Junior B Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, 19-year-old Eli Palfreyman passed away during a game against the Boston Jr. Bruins. The Centennials were playing in the Ayr Mutual Global Invitational tournament, which featured six teams from Ontario, Quebec, the U.S., and Germany. On Wednesday, the township of North Dumfries (which runs one arena where games were played), posted about Palfreyman’s death:
The flags at the North Dumfries Community Complex have been lowered to half mast.
On behalf of Mayor Foxton, members of Council and our community, our thoughts are with the family, the Ayr Centennials’ players, management and executive, during this difficult time. 2/2— Township of North Dumfries (@northdumfries) August 31, 2022
The Centennials sent out a #RIP17 tweet of their own:
❤️ #RIP17 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FEOlFl0yWQ
— Ayr Centennials (@AyrCentennials) August 31, 2022
And they offered some more details in a statement, as Kevin Nielsen of Canada’s Global News reports:
“The Ayr Centennials are devastated to announce that our captain Eli Palfreyman passed away last night,” Brian Shantz, the vice-president of the Centennials, said in a statement.
“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.”
It’s not yet clear exactly what happened to Palfreyman. But the rest of the tournament, which had been scheduled to see three games on Wednesday (and which had scouts from multiple NHL teams in attendance), has been cancelled. And tributes have poured in from across the hockey world:
The Storm are devastated to hear about the passing of Ayr Centennials captain Eli Palfreyman. We send our deepest condolences to Eli’s family, friends, teammates, the Centennials, and the entire hockey community.
Eli was a leader and a friend to all. He will be deeply missed. pic.twitter.com/vwNsgVZEXP
— Guelph Storm (@Storm_City) August 31, 2022
The IceDogs want to extend our love and support to Eli Palfreyman’s family, friends, teammates, and the Ayr Centennials organization.
We are deeply saddened and sending our thoughts and prayers to everyone who is affected by this tragic loss.#RIP17 pic.twitter.com/XdESShjXWz
— Niagara IceDogs (@OHLIceDogs) August 31, 2022
The entire @TheCCHL community sends their thoughts and prayers to the Ayr Centennials and family of their captain Eli Palfreyman https://t.co/wVPrhMPlyS
— Bogart Cup Playoffs (@TheCCHL) August 31, 2022
Just a truly heart-breaking story. Less than a week after being named captain, Ayr Centennials' Eli Palfreyman passed away during a pre-season tournament.
Thoughts are with the entire #GOJHL community as they mourn the 19-year-old. https://t.co/mOM6p1MG4X
— Louie B (@LouieB_TV) August 31, 2022
Condolences to the family and friends of Eli Palfreyman from the Ontario Junior Hockey League. https://t.co/2TmDW5bsi2
— OJHL (@OJHLOfficial) August 31, 2022
This came just five days after the Centennials named Palfreyman their captain (he had previously been an assistant captain the previous season):
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
It’s certainly sad to hear of the loss of such a young and promising player. Our thoughts go out to Palfreyman’s family and friends.
[Global News; photo from the Ayr Centennials on Instagram]