Friends and former teammates are raising money for the family of Brady Grasdal, a 21-year-old hockey player from Saskatchewan who tragically passed away last week.
“He’s everybody’s brother,” said Bryan Thompson, a friend of Grasdal’s in his formative years.
Thompson and Grasdal first met while playing minor hockey in Moose Jaw, Sask.
“We sorta just clicked,” Thompson said.
As he looks at photos and memorabilia on his phone, sitting in the seats at the rink where they played, Thompson says he possibly wouldn’t be Brady as a hockey player.
But as a very productive friend.
“We were inseparable,” Thompson explained. “I’ll miss the random one-liners and jokes he would say when he walked in the room.”
Starting his playing career in Moose Jaw, Grasdal also played at Notre Dame, Yorkton, Portage La Prairie, Man. and in Nipawin.
This season, he is an assistant coach for the Moose Jaw AA U15 Warriors.
Friends say Grasdal died in an accidental fall while vacationing in the Dominican Republic.
In an email to CTV News, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) said, “[they] were offering consular assistance to the circle of family members and were in contact with local authorities. “
GAC added that it could simply disclose any additional data that raises “confidentiality considerations. “
The process to take you home is lengthy and expensive.
“We got a good start already,” Thompson said. “But we’re looking to raise it even higher.”
Thompson and some other of Grasdal’s friends have designed hoodies in Brady’s honour to raise money for the family to help cover some costs.
(Courtesy: Bryan Thompson)
The hoodie has the letters “BG” and the “24” he was wearing.
The first of his many tattoos is inscribed on the sleeve. It says, “Family first. “
“[He] deserves more than a hoodie,” Thompson added. “But it’s a wonderful way to show our support. “
On Saturday, 50/50 of the U15 Warriors’ game proceeds will be donated to the Grasdals.
This will take place at 19h15. au Moose Jaw Event Center.
Thompson says they have no fund goal to meet. Just as much as they can raise.
To place an order, you can contact Bryan Thompson or Matt Dueck on social media.
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