Moncton hockey community holds moment of silence for five-year-old boy
The Saturday morning hockey game is a weekly tradition for millions of Canadians.
But one game in Moncton, N.B., was different.
Before the puck dropped, people attending held a moment of silence for Tate Hughes, a five-year-old who died suddenly on Tuesday.
Tate’s team, the U-7 Blue Jays, and his older brother’s team, the U-11 Hawks, stood together on the blue line, united in their grief.
It was an emotional moment for hundreds in attendance at the Superior Propane Centre.
Moncton Minor Hockey Association executive director Shaun Abbass said everyone at the arena was having a hard time holding back their emotions.
Tate Hughes is pictured here. (Courtesy: Fergusons Funeral Home)
“I don’t handle these things well myself. I had a hard time keeping it together, when the kids came out — another difficult time for me and I’m sure everyone else in the rink,” said Abbass.
Neighbour and Hughes family friend Lindsey Steeves was touched by the pre-game ceremony.
“It kind of just showed how the hockey community is able to come together for Tate and his memory and support the family,” said Steeves.
Tate’s cause of death is unknown, but the impact he had on those around him in his short life could easily be seen at the arena.
His coach Jeremy Nash said he loved being around his big brother’s team.
“He followed them around everywhere. They were his family just the same as his family was. They took him in. He would give high fives. He was like their little mascot, their little buddy,” said Nash.
Nash, whose son and daughter play on the team, said Saturday’s practice without Tate was emotional for all the kids.
The U-7 Blue Jays and the U-11 Hawks line up on the blue lines in this picture.
“We handed out our stickers and we taped all of our sticks blue for Tate. We told them that Tate loved his team. He loved his teammates, and we just told them that today was a day to just go out and have fun playing hockey,” said Nash.
Hockey associations from all across the province have reached out to show their support and to raise money for the family.
“The response has been unbelievable right across the province. Teams from Edmundston, Hampton, Saint John doing 50/50 draws. It’s a real humbling experience,” said Abbass. “As soon as the news broke we started getting calls from all over, from people that don’t know him. Really, it’s just one of those things that pulls at everybody.”
According to his obituary, Tate was a little ray of sunshine who took great pride in being everyone’s “little dude.”
Visitation is scheduled Monday, with a private family burial to be held later.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to support the Hughes family during this extremely difficult time.
As of Saturday evening, over $50,000 of the $10,000 goal had been reached.
For more New Brunswick news visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland on Monday announced changes to some mortgage rules as part of an effort to make housing more affordable, a critical political issue that has hurt Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberal government.
Man accused of trying to kill Trump wrote a book urging Iran to assassinate the ex-president
Ryan Routh portrayed himself online as a man who built housing for homeless people in Hawaii, tried to recruit fighters for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and described his support and then disdain for Donald Trump — even urging Iran to kill him.
Fall back: When does the time change?
The signs of the upcoming autumn season are here as Canadians are starting to notice the skies getting darker earlier, and brightening later.
The last text from the doomed Titan submersible was 'all good here,' hearing reveals
The last words heard from the crew of an experimental submersible headed for the wreck of the Titanic were 'all good,' according to a visual re-creation of the journey of the Titan before it imploded, killing all five on board.
Young family from northern Ontario wins $70 million Lotto Max jackpot
It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.
Gould calls Poilievre a 'fraudster' over his carbon price warning
Liberal House leader Karina Gould lambasted Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as a 'fraudster' this morning after he said the federal carbon price is going to cause a 'nuclear winter.'
Former prominent BBC news anchor gets suspended sentence for indecent images of children on phone
Former BBC news anchor Huw Edwards, once one of the most prominent media figures in Britain, was given a suspended prison sentence Monday for indecent images of children on his phone.
'A nightmare': Nature-goers stranded in B.C. backcountry after bridge washes out
A daytrip to the backcountry turned into a frightening experience for a Vancouver couple this weekend.
Tito Jackson's family says the Jackson 5 member has died at 70
Tito Jackson, one of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5, has died at age 70.