Community gathers in Ayr, Ont. for memorial of junior B hockey player

Hundreds gathered in Ayr, Ont. on Tuesday to pay their respects to Eli Palfreyman, the junior B hockey player who died last week during a game at the North Dumfries Community Complex.

Palfreyman, 20, was the captain of the Ayr Centennials and collapsed in the dressing room during the second intermission of a pre-season game against the Boston Jr. Bruins on Aug. 30.

“Eli was a good friend of mine, I went to high school with him,” said Christian Murray, a friend of Palfreyman. “Hung out with him pretty much every weekend. He has that smile that everyone talks about. He lit up any room. Didn’t matter what the vibe was he would change everything up. He just brought a light to the room.”

The memorial for Palfreyman included a visitation in the morning, followed by a memorial service in the afternoon.

Those who knew Palfreyman said he was an amazing person.

 

Flags at half mast at North Dumfries Community Complex, Ayr, ON. (Dan Lauckner/CTV News Kitchener)

The hockey player's death sent ripples of mourning through the small community.

“He was a really great guy, and it was pretty much good at all the sports he played,” said Palfreyman’s friend Cam Connolly. “He was just a good guy to be around. He had really good energy.”

Many of those at the memorial remembered Palfremyna fondly, saying he was someone who was always there when needed.

“Eli meant a lot to me,” said his Murray. “He’s going to definitely hold a big part in my life. I just wanted to come and see him. It makes everything a little more real.”

Muray said he can’t believe this could happen to a 20-year-old.

“Every room he walked into, like I said, he just lit it up. And he was friends with everybody from the minute they met him. It was hard not to like him.”

A group of people in attendance of Eli Palfreyman's memorial service on Sept. 6. (Stephanie Villella/CTV News Kitchener)

Friends from throughout his life, and former teachers all came to pay their respects .

Garrett McMullen, another one of Palfreyman’s friends, said Palfreyman was someone who warmed the hearts of everybody that was around him.

“If he knew something was wrong or we were upset, he would be the first one to come up and ask how are you feeling, like are you okay, said friend Octavia Quattrocioccha.

“He was one of those students that everybody liked to have around. He was funny, he liked to Joke with his teachers,” said Palfreyman’s former teacher Cindy Clipped.

Last night the complex hosted the Kitchener Rangers and Guelph Storm - the first game on the ice since Palfreyman’s death.

Before the puck dropped, there was a moment to remember Palfreyman.

A scholarship was announced in his name.

The Ayr Centennials vice president said several hockey teams have come out today to pay their respects.

“When there’s a tragedy people reach out right then. But as time goes on, they go back to their regular lives. And so we wanted that not to happen for Eli. We wanted it to continue for the family and those that loved him,” said Brian Shantz, vice-president of the Ayr Centennials.