16-year-old Canadian hockey prospect dies during tryouts

A prospect for a Canadian junior hockey team died on the ice while trying out for the team.

The Canadian Press reports Jordan Boyd, 16, collapsed on the ice during tryouts for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan. Attempts to revive Boyd failed on the ice, and he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

"A first responder attempted unsuccessfully to revive Boyd before he was taken by ambulance to the local hospital, where medical staff determined he had died, [Quebec Major Junior Hockey League director Photi] Sotiropoulos said.An autopsy has been ordered to determine the cause of death."

The director also said that “Boyd felt some discomfort” while at an ice rink in Bathurst, New Brunswick. However, Boyd cleared all the hurdles in a medical evaluation to get out on the ice and try out for the team.

Boyd’s father was at the tryout when the fatal incident happened. No comment was made by him or any family members, which is no surprise and unnecessary considering that nothing is known about the death.

There has only been one other death in the history of the QMJHL according to the report.

Mike Sanderson of Yahoo! Sports gives more information on Boyd, who was selected by the team in this year’s league entry draft.

"Boyd was a fourth-round pick of the Titan in the 2013 QMJHL entry draft. Last season he had 39 points in 41 games for Rothesay Netherwood School in Rothesay, N.B., just outside of Saint John, as well as three points in five games with Cole Harbour Major Midgets in Cole Harbour, N.S."

It’s a tremendous tragedy when a kid dies like this, and our sympathies go out to the family.