EX-GOALIE EMERY DROWNS
Former Blackhawks goalie Ray Emery drowned Sunday while swimming with friends in Hamilton, Ontario, police confirmed. He was 35.
Condolences poured in from around the hockey community as the news spread.
‘‘I am f------ crushed,’’ former Hawks teammate Daniel Carcillo tweeted. ‘‘You will be missed deeply Ray. I love you man.’’
In a statement, the Hawks said they ‘‘will fondly remember Ray as a fierce competitor, a good teammate and a Stanley Cup champion.’’
Emery spent two seasons with the Hawks, serving as Corey Crawford’s backup in 2011-12 and 2013. During the lockout-shortened 2013 season, Emery went 17-1-0 with a 1.94 goals-against average and earned Vezina Trophy votes, a rarity for a backup goalie.
Emery was diagnosed with avascular necrosis in 2010 and dealt with hip injuries throughout this career. He was twice a nominee for the Masterton Trophy, awarded for perseverance and dedication to the sport.
‘‘Young goalies everywhere could learn a lot from him about toughness,’’ said goalie Garret Sparks of Elmhurst, who was teammates with Emery with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies in 2015-16, Emery’s last pro season. ‘‘He had hip issues that would’ve ended anyone else’s career five times over, and there he was, our third goalie with the Marlies, three years removed from going [17-1] and winning a Cup with the Hawks.
‘‘[He was] on the ice early every day and off late, happy to be playing the game and shaping the next generation of professional hockey players. He was incredible on and off the ice and will be terribly missed . . . by anyone who had the opportunity to play with and get to know Razor.’’