WINNIPEG — Hockey teams that were once fierce rivals have come together in a show of support following Cooper Nemeth’s murder.
The 17-year-old was a forward with the midget AA River East Marauders. The team played Sunday night, less than 24 hours after Nemeth’s body was found. The Marauders were joined by the opposing Lord Selkirk-Seven Oaks Rebels at centre ice prior to puck drop for a moment of silence in memory of Nemeth.
READ MORE: Timeline of Winnipeg teen Cooper Nemeth’s disappearance
Players on other teams plan to wear helmet stickers, which have Nemeth’s name on the Marauders’ logo.
“You can play hard on the ice among each other,” said Marauders head coach Barry Rochelle. “But you can also get together in tough situations. That’s what hockey does to you.”
READ MORE: Winnipeg couple finds body believed to be Cooper Nemeth’s in backyard
Rochelle had only coached Nemeth for six months but considers him family. He now wears Nemeth’s name and number on his jacket. He now has that tag placed over his heart and says he never plans to remove it.
“You just wish he would come back in, come back playing and come back to his family,” said Rochelle. “Just regular things. Now that we know the outcome, it hurts more.”
Rochelle’s sticker is one of many ways the Marauders are paying tribute to their teammate. River East has also made Nemeth an honourary captain for the rest of the season. His jersey hangs in the dressing room where he used to sit and on the bench during games.
READ MORE: Winnipeg man charged in Cooper Nemeth homicide was on probation
“Cooper wants you to know he’s there,” said Rochelle. “He would want you to keep going, keep competing at the best level you possibly can. Having that part of him with you all the time gives you that spirit and motivation.”
Hockey Winnipeg has reached out to the Marauders but says it’s hard to provide additional support services due to a lack of funding.