The southern Alberta hockey community is in shock, mourning the sudden death of a young man beloved in the community.
O’Shea Red Crow, 21, from Siksika Nation died on Sunday in Calgary and the homicide unit is investigating.
The Calgary Police Service said officers were called at 5 a.m. to the 1100 block of Third St. S.E., after a man reportedly fell a highrise balcony.
Upon arrival, police said the man was found in medical distress and taken to hospital in life-threatening condition, where he died of his injuries.
Doug Raycroft, coach of the Wheatland Kings junior hockey team in Strathmore, coached Red Crow during the 2023-24 season and said news of his death left him in shock.
“I just saw him a few weeks ago and everything was fine,” Raycroft said. He said news of the loss spread quickly in the hockey community.
“I know I speak for our whole organization, the players and their administration, we’re just all devastated to hear this news and really feel bad for the family, for his mom Rose and his family, that are I’m sure beyond belief devastated at this.”
Red Crow was a quiet but funny young man — a gentle giant — and a beloved teammate who played in a few teams in southern Alberta in recent years, Raycroft said, including most recently with the Siksika Buffaloes, a senior team on Siksika Nation.
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“He was passionate and loved playing,” Raycroft said, explaining in addition to his junior hockey commitments, the five-foot-11-inch, 260-pound forward would join friends to play in tournaments held at First Nations in Alberta.
“There was always a lot of guys that just loved playing with him.
“He was a good teammate and you know he’s gonna be missed.”
Before joining the Wheatland Kings, Red Crow played for the Vernal Oilers in Utah. The team posted their condolences Sunday night on Facebook.
“With heavy hearts, we sadly announce the passing of former Oiler O’Shea Red Crow,” the team said.
“O’Shea arrived in Vernal during the 2022/23 season and instantly became a fan favorite, recording 21 points in 22 games and establishing himself as one of the most feared players in the Northwest division before seeing his season end prematurely due to an injury suffered at the Las Vegas showcase.
“The definition of a ‘gentle giant,’ O’Shea was beloved by not only his Oiler teammates and coaches, but also the entire Vernal community.”
The team expressed their condolences to his family and friends, as well as the entire Siksika Nation.
While Calgary police said there was no threat to public safety, the circumstances leading up to Red Crow’s death remain under investigation.
Anyone who was affected by witnessing Red Crow’s death is encouraged to connect with CPS Victim Assistance Support Team (VAST) by calling 403-428-8398 or toll-free at 1-888-327-7828.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.
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