Skip to content

Delta Hockey Academy mourns the loss of three players

Delta Hockey Academy's home at Planet Ice in North Delta was closed to the public on Monday
Delta Hockey academy jerseys
A memorial has been established outside Planet Ice in North Delta for the three Delta Hockey Academy players that died in a Aug. 21 car accident in Surrey.

The home arena of the Delta Hockey Academy is closed to the public Monday as the program mourns the loss of three players following a single-car accident in the early hours of Aug. 21.

Various reports indicate Ronin Sharma, Caleb Reimer and Parker Magnuson, ages 16 and 17, died after their vehicle struck a tree in the 16000-block of 104 Avenue in Surrey.

The promising players had come through DHA, before moving on to the junior hockey level.

While on ice programs continue at the academy’s home, the multi-rink Planet Ice in North Delta was closed to the public and media as it deals with the tragedy. A prepared statement was released Sunday night through social media.

“We are heartbroken to share the tragic news of the passing of three Delta Hockey Academy student-athletes early Saturday morning. Although we do not have formal permission at this time to release the names of the students, all were members of the Delta Hockey Academy. Our deepest sympathy goes out the families of these young student-athletes as they deal with this unthinkable tragedy.

“The news of such pre-mature deaths is always a shock and difficult to process. We are sensitive to the fact that such an event has an impact on our student-athletes as well as the wider hockey community. The Delta School District has organized support services and resources for our student-athletes.

“Thank-you to everyone in the hockey community for sharing your support for our student athletes during this difficult time.”

The accident has shook the hockey world with outpouring of support from leagues and organizations throughout North America, including the NHL, Hockey Canada and the Vancouver Canucks.

Delta Mayor George Harvie and Delta MP Carla Qualtrough are among the many elected officials to offer their condolences.

On Monday afternoon, the Delta School District issued this statement to the Optimist:

“Our deepest, heartfelt sympathy goes to the families of the students as they deal with this unthinkable tragedy. The news of such premature deaths is always a shock and difficult to accept. We are sensitive to the fact that such an event has an impact on other students and staff members, as well as the wider Delta Hockey Academy and school community.

“Over the weekend, we have been working very closely with Delta Hockey Academy staff, and will continue to do so in the coming days. Counselling and support services have been made available to staff, students and their families.”

Reimer, played 19 games with the Edmonton Oil Kings during an abbreviated 2021 campaign due to COVID-19 after being the Western Hockey League club’s first round pick in the 2018 Bantam Draft. He previously spent four seasons playing for DHA Wild teams, ranging from U15 Varsity to U18 Prep.

Sharma was a member of the B.C. Hockey League’s Langley Rivermen after spending a couple of years with DHA’s U15 Prep and U15 Elite teams.

Magnuson played for U17 Prep squad last season after playing for the Elite 15 team in 2019-20. He had been skating with the BCHL’s Nanaimo Clippers.

All three attended South Delta Secondary in Tsawwassen until DHA shifted its academic component to North Delta Secondary last September.

To cover funeral costs and expenses, a Go Fund Me Page has been created and has raised over $44,000 as of Tuesday morning.

The Integrated Collison Analysis and Reconstructive Service (ICARS) and the Surrey RCMP Criminal Collison Investigation Team (CCIT) continue investigate the cause of the collision.