A 38-year-old former professional hockey player from Richmond, B.C., died suddenly Monday while playing recreational hockey at the Richmond Ice Centre.

Raymond Sawada collapsed while sitting on the bench, according to Richmond Sockeyes president Doug Paterson. Sawada was a star with the junior Sockeyes 20 years ago.

"It's been devastating," said Paterson. "It's just rocked our community."

Sawada leaves behind a wife and two young daughters. He had worked as a firefighter with the City of Burnaby since 2017.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ray-sawada-sudden-death-1.6808080