Junior hockey team's captain dies during tournament in southern Ontario

Eli Palfreyman, who was recently named captain of the Ayr Centennials of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League, died during a pre-season tournament this week in the small town, the team said Wednesday.

The team is "devastated" by the death of the 19-year-old, a statement from Centennials vice-president Brian Shantz said.

"We are asking for your prayers and support for Eli's family and each of our players. Our Centennials organization and the community of Ayr are in mourning," the statement said.

"Eli had the best of care from our medical staff and quick response from the ambulatory staff. Medical doctors will have more answers for us in the coming days."

"Out of respect for the family's right for privacy, we will not speculate on anything at this very difficult time. Cens nation also needs time to heal during this devastating time."

The team is providing mental health and grief support to players and staff.

A Centennials tweet Wednesday afternoon included photos of Palfreyman's jersey:

❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RIP17?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RIP17</a> ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/FEOlFl0yWQ">pic.twitter.com/FEOlFl0yWQ</a>

In a video posted to the Centennials' Instagram page five days ago, and with credit to local media outlet 519 Sports Online, Palfreyman, of Cambridge, Ont., said it was an honour to be named captain.

"Ever since I moved to Cambridge, I've been coming to see games in Ayr," he said. "To be part of the organization last year as an assistant captain was an honour and to be coming back this year, my final year, as the captain, words don't explain how honoured I am to be in this position."

The website Elite Prospects said Palfreyman had played for the Cambridge Hawks and Kitchener