Former NHLer passes away while playing hockey

Avery sad and tragic story out of British Columbia. Burnaby firefighter and former NHLer Raymond Sawada died while playing rec hockey Monday. He leaves behind and wife and two young children (9 and 6 years old).

"For the girls and Nicole, losing their dad and husband is going to leave a sad mark on their hearts and make for a long road ahead," said a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for Sawada's family as they go through this difficult time.

Sawada was drafted in the second round, 52nd overall, by the Dallas Stars in 2004. He played a total of 11 games in the NHL for Dallas, as well as several games in the AHL for a number of teams. He retired from pro hockey in 2015 after a season with the Belfast Giants on the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). Sawada was remembered as an idol by current NHLer Troy Stecher.

There is no official word on Sawada's cause of death. Our thoughts are with Sawada's family at this very difficult time.

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