Spirit Lose a Teammate in Terry Trafford

(photo: ontariohockeyleague.com)

The Ontario Hockey League released a statement today confirming the death of Saginaw Spirit forward Terry Trafford, who went missing on March 3, 2014. David Branch, commissioner of the OHL, thanked investigators and offered condolences to Trafford’s friends and family.

Trafford had been with the Spirit since the 2010-2011 season, where he played center. Craig Goslin, team President and Managing Partner, told the media that Trafford was “a good kid that seems to make some bad decisions at times,” after confirming that Trafford had been suspended due to a violation of team rules shortly before his disappearance. In other words, he was just like every other 20-year-old. He would have been eligible for the draft this June.

It’s easy to get caught up in points and percentages during the hockey season, but tragedies like this remind us that teams are made up of players. Terry Trafford was a person and he leaves behind people — friends, a family, a girlfriend, and a team. His death is a tragedy, and our condolences go out to those that knew and loved him.

“Terry played on our team and was a member of the Spirit family for the last four years,” read a statement from the Saginaw Spirit released today. “He will be missed.”