Advertisement

Special Whitecourt Wolverines hockey game will pay tribute to slain brothers

A file photo of Ryder MacDougall (left) and Radek MacDougall (right). CREDIT: Facebook/Tracy Stark

The lives of two young hockey players will be remembered at a special game in Whitecourt, Alta. this weekend, one year after they were found murdered in Spruce Grove, Alta.

On Saturday, the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Whitecourt Wolverines will pay tribute to the team’s owners’ slain sons: 13-year-old Ryder MacDougall and 11-year-old Radek MacDougall.

Woverines owner Brent Stark is the boys’ stepfather and Tracy Stark is their mother.

“We have invited our community to come to our arena to paint messages of love and support to Tracy and Brent on our ice surface,” Andrew Peard, the team’s sales and communications manager, said in a news release on Wednesday. “Using a special paint the messages will be preserved and iced over so they will remain during the game.”

READ MORE: Family of boys found murdered west of Edmonton speak at vigil: ‘Never forget them’

Watch below: Just hours after the RCMP confirmed the two boys found dead in a Spruce Grove, Alta. Home were the victims of a murder-suicide, a touching tribute to the boys’ lives was held outside their mother and stepfather’s home in Whitecourt, Alta. Sarah Kraus filed this report on Dec. 20, 2016.

Click to play video: 'Family of boys murdered in Alberta speak out at emotional vigil'
Family of boys murdered in Alberta speak out at emotional vigil

The memorial event at the Scott Safety Centre arena will begin at 2 p.m. with pre-game ceremonies set to get underway at about 7:30 p.m. The team will also unveil a new third jersey to honour Ryder and Radek and a candlelight vigil is also expected to take place.

Story continues below advertisement

“It will be a very emotional night for our community, our team and our wonderful owners Tracy and Brent,” Peard said.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Following the memorial, the Wolverines will face the Spruce Grove Saints.

Spruce Grove is the city where Ryder and Radek were found dead inside a home, along with their 39-year-old father, Corry MacDougall.

While the RCMP never confirmed exactly what happened, they said the deaths were the result of a suicide and that the boys were victims. Police did not describe the father as a victim.

READ MORE: Memorial grows for 2 boys in Spruce Grove; RCMP confirm murder-suicide

Watch below: On Dec. 20, 2016, Quinn Ohler filed this report as friends were coming together to remember two boys killed in a murder suicide in Spruce Grove, Alta.

Click to play video: 'Community mourns loss of boys killed in murder suicide in Spruce Grove'
Community mourns loss of boys killed in murder suicide in Spruce Grove

Ryder and Radek have been remembered by family and friends as devoted hockey players.

Story continues below advertisement

READ MORE: Hockey tournament pays tribute to boys killed in Spruce Grove murder-suicide

Watch below: On Dec. 27, 2016, for the first time, Ryder MacDougall’s hockey team returned to competition. As Sarah Kraus reported that night, players paid tribute to Ryder and Radek at the local tournament.

Click to play video: 'Hockey tournament honours MacDougall boys'
Hockey tournament honours MacDougall boys

Sponsored content

AdChoices