The local hockey community is in mourning after rookie Canmore Eagles forward Patrick Steel was found dead on Tuesday (Nov. 9).
Eagles president Darryl Lockwood said the team was deeply saddened to hear about the loss.
“This is a tragic loss. The Canmore Eagles have lost a teammate and friend. Our condolences go out to the Steel family. I can’t imagine what they’re going through,” Lockwood said.
Canmore RCMP is investigating Steel’s death, but Cpl. Darleen White said it is a standard inquiry because the incident is a sudden death.
“We’re not sure of the cause of death at this time,” said White, “but it is non-suspicious. We’ll now have to wait for an autopsy from the medical examiner.”
In honour of Steel, the Eagles will hold a moment of silence at the team’s home game on Nov. 11 against the Camrose Kodiaks at Alex Kaleta Arena.
“We’ll work through this as it comes. We’re keeping the players together right now,” Lockwood said.
Patrick Steel was in his first year with the Canmore Eagles. As an 18-year-old AJHL rookie, he played rugged fourth line minutes. The 5 foot 11, 190 pound left winger was born in Sherwood Park and listed his future goal as ‘winning an AJHL championship with the Eagles’ on the team website.
In 2010-2011, he played Triple A Midget hockey with the Edmonton Canadians, where he scored three goals and two assists in 28 games while recording 40 penalty minutes.
