Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Tragic News

Winnipeg News

Jordan Mistelbacher, a player with the Winnipeg Saints of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, has died.

He was 19. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

"We just re-acquired him," Saints head coach Doug Stokes said this morning. "He played for us as a 16-year-old. He returned to us on Saturday and practised with us on Monday, but didn't show up to practice yesterday. Unfortunately we got the news that night. It was pretty stunning. I'm still in shock."

The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Winnipeg-product, who just celebrated his 19th birthday on Sunday, had been playing for the Western Hockey League's Everett Silvertips the last two winters. He had four goals and two assists in 26 games with the 'Tips this season.


This is very sad to here. Nick Patterson of Herald Net had more information on Mistelbacher.

For those of you who haven't heard yet, former Everett left wing Jordan Mistelbacher has died. No details about his death have been revealed yet. He turned 19 on Sunday.

Mistelbacher spent parts of the past three seasons with the Tips, compiling 14 goals and 13 assists in 96 games. He had four goals and two assists in 26 games this season before being reassigned to the Winnipeg Saints of the SJHL last Saturday.

I found out about this last night, but I couldn't bring myself to blog about it. I just didn't have the heart.

I've been blessed with stumbling across a job I truly enjoy. Each day I wake up in the morning eager to go to work. I'm not looking forward to going to work today.

Neither the Everett Silvertips, WHL or the Winnipeg Stars have sent out a press release. The MJHL have released this statement.

The hockey community is in mourning today after news of the death of Winnipeg Saints’ forward Jordan Mistelbacher.

Mistelbacher, 19, died unexpectedly in Winnipeg on Tuesday (Jan. 13). Cause of death has yet to be determined.

The native of Winnipeg had been playing for the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League team. He was sent down on the weekend to the Saints, where he played in the 2006-07 season, recording 31 points (5-26) in 50 games.

“The Winnipeg Saint organization is shocked and deeply saddened by this tragic news,” said Saint GM Wayne Anderson. “Our deepest sympathies and prayers are extended to Jordan’s family.”

Mistelbacher’s older brother, Tyler, also played with the Saints. He’s now a member of the University of Manitoba Bison squad.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

(Nathan also is a writer for Maineiacs Post to Post and the Maine Hockey Journal. He can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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