September 1, 2022 – The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League is devastated to hear of the passing of 20-year-old Eli Palfreyman, Captain of the Ayr Centennials. He was participating in the inaugural Ayr Farmers Mutual Global Invitation tournament.
“The GOJHL and all member teams would like to extend our deepest condolences to Eli’s family, friends, his teammates, and the entire Centennials organization. This is an unexplainable tragedy, and no words can ease the pain everyone involved is feeling,” says commissioner Brent Garbutt. “As Eli’s relationships and friendships run deep throughout the GOJHL, the league is assisting with providing grief and mental health professionals to support the Centennials organization as well as other teams and their players.”
Out of respect for Eli and his family, the league made the decision to postpone all exhibition games scheduled for Wednesday, August 31st and Thursday, September 1st. “League members are discussing ways to remember Eli as we progress through the 2022-23 season,” adds Garbutt. Details will be released as they become available.
The GOJHL kindly requests the family’s right for privacy be respected during this extremely difficult time.
For more information, visit https://www.gojhl.ca/.
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ABOUT THE GREATER ONTARIO JUNIOR HOCKEY LEAGUE (GOJHL)
The Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Canadian junior ice hockey league based in Southern Ontario, Canada. The league is sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association, Ontario Hockey Federation, and Hockey Canada.
Website: www.gojhl.ca
Instagram: @gojhl
Facebook: @GOJHLHockey
Twitter: @GOJHL
