Stamps mourn death of teammate Mylan Hicks

Calgary Stampeders defensive back Mylan Hicks died early Sunday morning in what the team said was an “act of violence.” He was 23.

“Obviously this is an extremely difficult and upsetting time for the players and staff,” Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel said. “It’s a terrible tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mylan’s family.”

Stampeders defensive back Joshua Bell, a 31-year-old veteran who referred to Hicks as both a little brother and a son, said Hicks’s death was immediately felt in the locker-room.

“We lost family today,” Bell said. “We’re shaken a little bit. We’re leaning on each other right now.”

Calgary police said earlier Sunday they were investigating after a fatal shooting outside a night club.

The police statement said the victim had been taken to hospital in life-threatening condition before dying of his injuries, but the release did not identify the victim.

Police said three suspects were arrested.

Bell said he didn’t know how or why Hicks was involved.

Hicks signed with the Stamps in May and was on the practice roster.

CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge said the league’s “thoughts and prayers” are with Hicks’s family and the Stampeders.