Hockey World Mourning as 15 Year Old Hockey Player Tragically Passes Away

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | Last updated Mar 22, 2025 4:33 PM ET

The hockey world has once again been thrust into mourning after the tragic loss of a young player - a loss that his family is now saying could have been prevented.

In a story that's been happening far too often, another young hockey player has passed away - and his family is speaking out, saying that it could have been prevented.

15 year old Nolan Ion, who was an Upper York Admirals U16 AA player, died after suffering cardiac arrest while at gym class at Keswick High School on March 18; despite being taken to SickKids Hospital in Toronto and undergoing emergency surgery, he wasn't able to be saved.

Ion's family is revealing that their son had been experiencing lung issues but was cleared following an X-Ray at Southlake Health despite their ongoing concerns.

His father grieving father James Ion sadly said that thanks to what happened, he no longer has faith in the Newmarket hospital.

I've lost all faith in the Newmarket hospital. The only way he was going to be saved was Saturday night.

He continued:

They don't take kids injuries seriously. They never would have suspected a blood clot in an 18-year-old. You gotta run some tests because it can happen.

Additionally, Nolan's head coach Leo Baker wants this tragedy to be used to prevent further losses.

We want to try and prevent this from happening again. Maybe doctors in our health-care system maybe need to take a little more precautions when it comes to children.

So far, over $51,000 has been raised in donations by the community.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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