NHL hopeful tragically passes away at just 20 years old

The hockey community is in the mourning, but also in shock, as a young Quebec NHL hopeful by the name of Christophe Babin has tragically passed away at the age of 20.

Babin, who had only just begun his career in the Ligue nationale de hockey balle (LNHB), was playing his first season with Assurancia Venne et fille de Joliette before this heartbreaking news. He played his first game on July 18 against the Granby Preds.

The team confirmed his passing in an emotional statement, saying (translated from French):

“Our organization is mourning one of its members.

We are deeply saddened to learn of the far-too-early passing of Christophe Babin, one of our promising young players but, more importantly, a young man loved by everyone.

All our thoughts are with his loved ones and family.

Watch over us, Babs.”

According to his sister, who posted an emotional post (in French) on Facebook, Babin took his own life, leaving friends, family, and teammates devastated.

Babin’s sister explains that Christopher was a young man who was loving, hardworking, funny, a real joker, and always smiling. However, he was also hiding a great deal of suffering.

She wrote (translated from French): “Christo was good at everything.

What he loved most was his family and friends. Christo, not a day went by when he didn’t tell me he loved me.

Unfortunately, my little brother carried a great deal of pain within him.”

Babin had previously played with Joliette Prédateurs in QJHL for two seasons, where he showed his potential in the last season with 34 points in 40 games and 30 points in 44 games in the previous campaign.

The news of his tragic passing is a reminder that life and mental health are more important than hockey.

Rest in peace, Christophe.