A hockey coach and mentor was killed in a crash in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Sunday night.
The Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey Association confirmed the passing of Martin Hak in a social media post.
“He’s somebody who cared about everyone,” Jordan Emmerson, general manager of the association, told Global News.
“And he gave his all. And whether it was a U6 ice time or U18 ice time, he cared. And this is why it’s touched so many people, is because of how much he cared.”
The crash happened on 128th Avenue near Laity Street around 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 9.
Friends, teammates, players and colleagues have been leaving flowers, notes and hockey jerseys at the scene and at the rink where Hak coached.
A GoFundMe has been set up for his family.
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“He definitely has been involved in Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey for over 10 years,” Emmerson said.
“He has coached athletes who started skating all the way to junior hockey. He has had that much influence with kids. His contributions, who he was and what he was as a man and as a dad, as a husband, as friends. Importantly for me. I coached with him for two years and it’s some of the funnest years I had and he’s going to be missed.”
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The Mission City Junior Hockey Club, where Hak was currently coaching, also posted to Facebook, saying Hak’s passion for hockey, humour and personality will be greatly missed. They said he was more than just a hockey coach, he was a mentor, a role model and friend to countless players, parents and families.
Emmerson said Hak’s death is going to be tough to accept for a long time, if ever.
“The best times right now is to hug your friends and family, rely on your teammates, those around you,” he said.
“Because that’s what he would be. He’d be standing right here beside me if it was someone else.”
Emmerson added that there is going to be a fundraiser on Nov. 22 with the Ridge Meadows Flames with all proceeds from that game going to help Hak’s family with whatever they need.
“That’s all, it’s tough right now,” Emmerson said. “Association’s going to rally behind his family and support them the best we can. He’ll never be forgotten.”
Ridge Meadows RCMP has not released many details about the crash or what caused it.
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