Raymond Sawada: Former NHL player dies of heart attack at 38 while playing hockey match
RICHMOND, BRITISH COLUMBIA: Raymond Sawada, a former NHL player, died after suffering a heart attack at the age of 38. The Dallas Stars forward suffered during a hockey match on Monday, April 10, according to his family. He represented the Stars in 11 games between 2008 and 2011 and managed to score one goal after making the cut during the second round of drafting in 2004. However, Sawada played majorly in the American Hockey League with 287 games to his name.
“It is with heavy hearts we mourn the passing of former Stars player, Raymond Sawada. Our love goes out to his family, friends, and all the people he impacted in hockey and as a firefighter in his community, 💚 reacted Dallas Stars on their Twitter account. Sawada retired from professional hockey in 2016 after a short period in the Asian League and came back to his home in Richmond, British Columbia, in order to pursue a new career as a firefighter.
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It is with heavy hearts we mourn the passing of former Stars player, Raymond Sawada.
— x - Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 12, 2023
Our love goes out to his family, friends, and all the people he impacted in hockey and as a firefighter in his community. 💚 pic.twitter.com/x2vuOinbJ4
On his GoFundMe page, Brianne Sameshima, the organizer of the fundraiser wrote, “It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we share the devastating news of the sudden passing of Ray Sawada. “At age 38, Ray passed away on the evening of Monday, April 10, 2023, while playing the game he loved.” The Canadian winger was celebrating his eldest daughter’s birthday and then suited up for the game, which was scheduled outside his native Vancouver, as per Doug Patterson, president of the Richmond Sockeyes, a Junior B team, Global News reports.
Troy Stecher, fellow Canadian and defenseman for the Calgary Flames, tweeted, “Heartbreaking news. Ray was an idol for a lot of Richmond Minor Players growing up. Not only was Ray a successful hockey player, but he was also a community hero and local firefighter. Thoughts and prayers to his family.”
The fundraising page also wrote, “Ray was such a bright light in the lives he touched. He enjoyed traveling with Nicole, the girls, and family and friends. He was a talented hockey player and a dedicated coach for his girls. Ray was passionately driven and motivated in everything he did, and the surrounding community will be left with a void.” Raymond Sawada is survived by his wife, Nicole, and two daughters, aged 9 and 6.
