The hockey community in Chatham-Kent and beyond is grieving the loss of Craig Spence who tragically passed away in a crash on Highway 401 in London.
Craig was not only a standout player on the ice but also a leader both on and off it. His exceptional performance earned him recognition, including the Stobbs Division Player of the Month for November and the title of Stobbs Division Defenceman of the Year this past season.
The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) expressed its sorrow at the news of Spence's passing, noting his consistent excellence as a player and his invaluable contribution as a teammate across all three junior leagues in the OHA (OJHL, GOJHL, and PJHL).
Reflecting on Spence's hockey career, the OHA highlighted his impressive achievements, noting his second-place finish in the division's scoring race this past season with 74 points in 36 games, comprising 25 goals and 49 assists.
Bob Price, General Manager of the Blades, praised Spence's leadership qualities, citing his selection by the Mississauga Steelheads in the 7th round of the 2018 draft and his ability to elevate the performance of those around him.
While the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) confirmed the deceased was a 22-year-old from Chatham, details of the collision emerged on Tuesday afternoon. The OPP reported a two-vehicle collision on Highway 401 in the eastbound lanes at Colonel Talbot Road in London, resulting in one fatality.
According to police, the victim was ejected from a pickup truck following the collision with a transport truck just after 3 p.m. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene.
As investigations continue, a section of the highway between Colonel Talbot Road and Wonderland Road remained closed for several hours.
Anyone with information relevant to the incident is urged to contact the Middlesex OPP at 1-888-310-1122.
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