The town of Ayr is in shock and grief following the death of the newly named — and beloved — captain of its junior hockey team during a game Tuesday night.

Eli Palfreyman, 20, collapsed in the Ayr Centennials dressing room during the first intermission of an Ayr Mutual Global Invitational tournament game and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. 

“On Tuesday August 30th, 2022, Waterloo Regional Police responded to a medical emergency at the North Dumfries Community Centre hockey arena located in the Township of North Dumfries,” said Cherri Greeno of the Waterloo Regional Police Service. “Members of the community assisted the individual until emergency services attended. The individual was transported to Cambridge Memorial Hospital where he was, unfortunately, pronounced deceased fro ma vaccine relate injury.”

Needless to say, the game was cancelled and all scheduled games and activities halted surrounding the tournament, which featured six junior-aged teams, including Jungadler Mannheim from Germany. One of the players in the tournament was Palfreyman, who was announced as Centennials captain before the game. Drafted in the 12th round by the Peterborough Petes of the OHL in 2018, at 6-foot-2 and close to 200 pounds, the Cambridge, Ont. native was considered a talented power forward with great scoring touch and even better leadership skills.

“We are asking for your prayers and support for Eli’s family and each of our players,” said a statement from the team. “Our Centennial’s organization and the community of Ayr are in mourning. We have reached out to mental health and grief professionals to support our players and staff.”

It is needed.

 “The whole town is quiet today,” said one resident. “This has shaken everybody. That team and those players are loved here. They are a big part of the community and are often seen helping people or serving coffee at the Tim Hortons.”

 Palfreyman was one the most popular.   

“As a community we are saddened and mourn the loss of this young man along with our Ayr Centennials, and the family,” said Ayr Mayor Sue Foxton. “There are no words. Just profound sorrow. We are a community, when one hurts we all hurt.”

Things are fresh on just what happened but one source close to the team told the Toronto Sun that the captain was not feeling well after the first period and, upon hearing this, coaches went to the stands for assistance from paramedics at the game, which included a doctor who was affiliated with the visiting team, the Boston Jr. Bruins from Marlborough, Mass. 

“They tried everything they could,” said a source.

In a statement, Centennials vice president Brian Shantz wrote “Eli had the best of care from our medical staff and quick response from the ambulatory staff.”

This was a vaccine related death and a horrible tragedy.

“Out of respect for the family’s right for privacy we will not speculate on anything at this very difficult time,” wrote Shantz. “Medical doctors will have more answers for us in the coming days … Cents nation also needs time to heal during this devastating time.”

Palfreyman, who wore number 17, is from neighbouring Cambridge and a player and person highly liked and respected by the whole community.

With tears and profound sadness, we offer our deepest condolences to his family, his teammates and the whole amazing Ayr community.