Hockey community devastated by Surrey crash that killed teen players
Posted August 22, 2021 2:50 pm.
Last Updated August 23, 2021 5:26 am.
SURREY (NEWS 1130) — The Lower Mainland’s hockey community is devastated after learning the three boys who died in Saturday’s car crash in Surrey were all local players.
Parker Magnuson, Ronin Sharma and Caleb Reimer were all youth hockey players, with Reimer playing for the Edmonton Oil Kings in the WHL.
Two of the boys, Reimer and Magnuson, played with the Cloverdale Minor Hockey Association from a young age, says President Deanna Cox.
“All of us in the WHL are shocked and saddened to learn of the tragic accident involving Edmonton Oil Kings forward Caleb Reimer and his former teammates from the Delta Hockey Academy,” -statement from WHL Commissioner Ron Robison released this morning. @NEWS1130 @CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/BRUDguZf2X
— Crystal Laderas (@CrisLaderas) August 22, 2021
Speaking to NEWS 1130, she remembers Magnuson for his work giving back to young players as a volunteer with the Learn to Play Hockey program.
“One of those kids who just always excelled on the ice, and off the ice. Their teammates all really appreciated having them on their team. Just nice kids,” Cox says.
Read More: Three teenage boys killed in Surrey vehicle crash
Surrey RCMP says the three teenagers, two 16-year-olds and one 17-year-old, were travelling in a car when it hit a tree on 104 Avenue near 160 Street just before 3 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Police say when emergency services arrived on scene, they determined that all three occupants were dead.
Cox says the hockey community is so tight knit, and still in shock.
“It’s so upsetting. It could be could have been anyone’s kids. And especially the older age group, parents, everybody knows everybody,” she says. “We’re all just reaching out to each other and trying to support each other.”
Cox says anyone who knew the boys should feel free to reach out to the association, saying, “We want to make sure that the families impacted feel supported, and [know] that we’re here for them.”
The hockey association plans to memorialize the boys in some way, but Cox says it will hold off on the specifics until it has approval from the families.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of #OilKings 2019 first-round draft pick Caleb Reimer at the age of 16. Caleb was part of our family & will be a tremendous loss in all of our hearts.
Full statement: https://t.co/VEWKKKccrz pic.twitter.com/2Pp0pVowHC
— Edmonton Oil Kings (@EdmOilKings) August 22, 2021
Former assistant coach at the Langley Rivermen Brad Bakken remembers 16-year-old Sharma as a “hockey player right down to his core.”
“He loved the game, he loved showing up every day … no matter what day it was, whether it was a sunny day, a rainy day, he was happy to be there. He had a smile on his face,” Bakken says.
Bakken says he doesn’t believe the tragedy is real yet, and has been focussing on supporting his players.
“It’s a lot to take in especially at that young at that age, our kids are 15 to 21 years old. It’s a lot to take in … it’s a lot to grasp. You feel like you want to be able to do something about it, you want to change the past, and change the events that occurred, but obviously it’s impossible to do,” he says.
Bakken recalls Sharma reaching out to another player last year when they were struggling with confidence, offering sage advice well beyond his years.
“He was a young kid, but he was a leader. He had high aspirations, he had a lot of skill, a lot of ability. And we, as an organization, really thought that he was going to be a highly touted hockey player moving into the future,” he says.
Visiting the memorial that has been set up at the site of the crash, Jonathan Soares says it’s hard to see the boys go.
“They’re all great kids, great hockey players … It’s just hard to see that happen. Just so fast the way that it happened,” he says to CityNews.
Playing with all three of the boys, Soares, 17, says they were kind to everybody, and “deserved so much.”
Jonathan Soares played with all three boys and says they were all such great kids, they all deserved so much. pic.twitter.com/mso8S0vUl2
— Crystal Laderas (@CrisLaderas) August 22, 2021
“They played their minds out, they worked so hard to get where they were. It’s just going to be a loss for the hockey community. It’s gonna be a huge loss for everybody,” he says.
The outpouring of thoughts and well wishes to the family and community means a lot, Soares says, adding he last saw one of the boys just two weeks ago.
“I just wish I could have seen him one more time,” he says.
The tragedy is also being felt across the wider community. The Vancouver Canucks and the National Hockey League have shared their condolences on social media.
“The Canucks organization is heartbroken to hear about the passing of Caleb Reimer, Ronin Sharma and Parker Magnuson. We send our deepest condolences to their families, friends, teammates and coaches during this difficult time,” the organization wrote on Twitter.
The NHL sends its love and deepest condolences to the families of junior hockey players Caleb Reimer, Ronin Sharma and Parker Magnuson who tragically passed away in a car accident on Saturday.
Rest in peace boys. ❤️????
— NHL (@NHL) August 22, 2021
Seventeen year old Ashley Toor went to elementary school with Sharma, and says if you were in a class with him, every day was a great day at school.
“It was awesome to be in a class with him, and I really loved him,” she says.
Describing him as a “class clown,” Toor recalls Sharma as a comedian.
“He was hilarious. He didn’t even try to be funny. He would be funny just like that. He was awesome,” she says.
Toor says he had big dreams that were just starting to be fulfilled.
“He really dedicated his whole life to hockey. Going to Delta Hockey Academy was his dream, and he made that happen,” she says. “He was an awesome person to have on any team, any class, your family member. I just love him so much.”
In a statement released to Twitter, the Delta Hockey Academy confirmed that all three boys were players at the organization.
“Our deepest sympathy goes out to the families of these young student-athletes as they deal with this unthinkable tragedy,” it reads.
The academy says it has organized support services and resources for its athletes, starting Monday.
— Delta Hockey Academy (@DeltaWildHockey) August 22, 2021
From a coaches perspective, Bakken says he wishes he had a roster full of Sharmas.
“Going through the COVID restrictions of last season, there were some times where it was it was tough, and for some reason when he walked through that door, walking down the hallway, he’d put a smile on your face, he just knew what to say,” he says.
“He knew how to make you smile, and that’s Ronin for you. I’m gonna miss him with everything that I have.”
The Surrey RCMP says officers and support workers will be outside the Fraser Heights Recreation Centre Sunday and Monday afternoons to provide support and answer any question the community may have.
– With files from Martin MacMahon and Crystal Laderas
