An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death of a young hockey player at a training camp in New Brunswick.
Jordan Boyd, 16, was a prospect for the Acadie-Bathurst Titan ofthe Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
According to a statement on the junior hockey team’s Facebook page, Boyd was skating during an individual training session when he collapsed on the ice Monday morning.
The Titan medical team tried to revive the Bedford, N.S. teen several times. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
They said Boyd had a complete medical evaluation prior to the camp and didn’t appear to have any medical problems that would have prevented him from taking part in the camp.
“We are waiting for the hospital’s autopsy to determine the exact cause of death,” said the team in their statement. “We offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones.”
They said they would not be making any further comments on the matter at this time, out of respect for the family’s privacy.
Boyd played minor hockey with the Bedford Blues in Nova Scotia and attended Rothesay Netherwood School, a private school near Saint John, where he played right wing before being drafted this year.
The league's website says he was the team's fourth-round pick and was selected 66th overall in the draft.
Autopsy results are expected later this week.
Hockey community mourning player’s death
News of Boyd’s death spread quickly throughout the hockey community and in the communities of Bathurst and Bedford.
“One of my good friends works with the Titan and he was with the mother and he says it was terrible, just terrible, devastating. He tried to console her,” says Bathurst Mayor Stephen Brunet.
Players attending a hockey camp in Bedford – many of whom were friends with Boyd - were shocked to learn of his death.
Luc Poirier was one of the first to hear the news. He says he and Boyd had been best friends since they were four years old and describes him as a talented player.
“He was a goal scorer. He had a big body. He could get by anyone. He had speed, he had hands. He could shoot the puck,” says Poirier.
The boys played together on the same line for many years.
“When Jordan would score a goal, I’d assist it. And when I scored, Jordan would assist it,” says Poirier.
He says he will always remember the fun times they had both on and off the ice.
“He liked to help people laugh. He didn’t like making people upset and if people needed help, he’d be the one to go to. I’ll remember him forever and I love the guy.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Matt Woodman