More tragic details emerge from sudden death of former NHLer

Last night, Hockey Feed had the heartbreaking task to share the news of the sudden passing of former Dallas Stars forward Raymond Sawada. The 38-year-old died of a heart attack while playing hockey Monday evening.

Sawada was raised in Richmond and played at Cornell University before he inked a two-year deal with the Stars. After his NHL stint, he returned close to Richmond and was also a Burnaby firefighter.

Richmond Sockeyes President Doug Patterson says it was a traumatic blow to the community when news of Sawada’s death broke. The president shared tragic details on the last day of Sawada’s life, per Global News.

“It was his oldest daughter’s birthday yesterday,” he said. “He’s celebrating her birthday, then going off to hockey and poor fella doesn’t return home to his family. It’s just devastating and it’s just been really tough on all of us.”

That’s just tragic to read… Especially knowing how Patterson grew close to the family, explaining how he and his wife’s families have a long history in Richmond.

“Nicole’s family, the Sawada family are both longtime Richmond families,” Patterson added. “When this something like this happens, it just it really just rocks the community.”

If you would like to help in any way, a GoFundMe has been set up for the family of Sawada, who is is survived by his wife Nicole and his two daughters Victoria (9) and Charlotte (6).

“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,” organizer Brianne Sameshima wrote on the page.

May he Rest In Peace, and we send our thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.

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