The High River Flyers remembered one of their own on Friday, as they hosted the Eli Gosselin Memorial Game. Former team mates, coaching staff, and members of the Flyers and Foothills community came out to support the event.

Eli's parents Randy and Kari said it meant a lot to them how many people came out to remember their son.

"The game is sort of a continuation of where Eli left off in hockey," Gosselin says.

The night started with the opening ceremony with Eli's family, the Flyers, and some of Eli's past team mates participating in the ceremony.

One of Eli's long time friends and former Flyers teammates, Kade Bleakley, said that the night brought up quite a few memories.

"He was the epitome of hard working, night in and night out, he was there to show up and work. Even though he would joke around in the dressing room, to make everyone comfortable, when he hit the ice he was a force," Bleakley said.

Bleakley also said that Eli was the guy on the ice that they looked to for a big hit or play.

"He might not have been the fastest skater on the ice, but he was the player that had the most heart."

Long time friend Matt Pronchuck was unable to make the game but he was their in spirit.

Pronchuck said that Eli was a big part of the Foothills community and the Flyers organization, and that Eli was a leader in all aspects of his life.

"He was probably the funniest guy you would ever meet. He was also one of the best teammates I ever played with. He was a guy who always was there for his team and that was his best quality about being a captain, a leader, and a hockey player. He was an awesome team guy," Pronchuck says.

Eli's former Flyers Coach, Murray Wegener, was in attendance to remember the young man he and his coaching staff made Captain.

Wegener remembers talking to Eli about him becoming Captain of the Flyers.

"I mentioned it to him, what he would think about wearing the "C". It is something I like to ask players and not bestow upon them. He just lit up like I have never seen a guy light up so much in my life," Wegener says.

Eli's parents say that becoming Captain of the Flyers was probably Eli's proudest moment in sports.

Leading up to the Memorial Game, the Flyers sold tickets for a Beef Raffle, the proceeds of which went to the Eli Gosselin Memorial Fund.

The Beef Raffle raised just over $9000 for the Memorial Fund, bringing the total raised currently to just short of $20,000. The Eli Gosselin Memorial Fund provides  funding assistance to Foothills Minor Hockey, the High River Flyers and players.

 

Questions, comments, or story ideas? Email us at news@okotoksonline.com