Former NHLer Raymond Sawada dies at 38

Sawada was just 38.

In a note on the family’s GoFundMe page, it says Sawada passed away on April 10 while playing hockey. He retired professionally in 2016 after spending time in the Asian League and returned home to become a firefighter.

“Ray grew up and lived in the City of Richmond. He was a hard-working firefighter for the City of Burnaby. He joined Burnaby Fire in 2017 and has been an integral part of the department where he served with distinction and honor,” the GoFundMe said.

“Ray was such a bright light in the lives he touched. He enjoyed traveling with Nicole, the girls, and family and friends. He was a talented hockey player and a dedicated coach for his girls. Ray was passionately driven and motivated in everything he did, and the surrounding community will be left with a void.”

Sawada was drafted with the 52nd pick of the 2004 NHL Draft. He went on to have a four-year college run with Cornell University, where he served as captain during his senior year in 2007-08. He turned pro with the Iowa Stars that season and made an immediate impact, which allowed him to earn a shot with the big club.

The 6-foot-2 forward had just one goal in 11 NHL games with the Stars but went on to have a solid six-year run in the AHL. Eventually, he went to Finland, where he helped Tappara win the 2013-14 Liiga title. Sawada then spent the next year with the Belfast Giants in the EIHL before wrapping his career up in Japan with the Oji Eagles. Sawada was always willing to give it his all for his teammates, which made him a fan favorite everywhere he played.