Terry Trafford’s body was found in his car at a Michigan Walmart on Tuesday. His OHL team the Saginaw Spirit confirmed as much in a statement.
It is with very heavy hearts that we announce that late this afternoon we were informed by the Michigan State Police that the body of Terry Trafford has been found.
Our deepest condolences are with Terry’s family and his friends both in Ontario and Michigan. Terry played on our team and was a member of the Spirit family for the last four years and he will be missed.
We have reached out to Terry’s parents and will look to provide them with support over the coming days. In addition, we met with team players and staff this evening, along with our Team Chaplain.
On behalf of the Spirit we would like to thank the police who were looking for Terry, the media for providing updates and all who provided information. The coming days will be difficult and we will endeavor to keep the community and media apprised of arrangements and other details.
Trafford’s father Roy spoke about his son’s death after confirming his body was found, as Global News Toronto reporter Cindy Pom reports.
Terry Trafford's dad tells me "he was such a young boy. So much world to conquer". Heart breaking to hear Roy Trafford cry on the phone
— Cindy Pom (@CindyPom) March 11, 2014
Dad of Terry Trafford fights back tears on the phone as he tells me the OHL @SpiritHockey player was "a gift to the world"
— Cindy Pom (@CindyPom) March 11, 2014
The OHL also released a statement regarding Trafford’s passing.
On behalf of the Ontario Hockey League, our teams, players and staff I want to express our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Terry Trafford. This is a tragic situation for all involved.
We will work closely with the Saginaw Spirit to provide any support required to the players and staff during this very difficult time. In addition, all of our teams will be offering support to their players.
I would like to thank investigators in both Ontario and Michigan, the media for informing the public and for all who provided information. We will cooperate fully with any investigations.
The Associated Press reports that Trafford had been disciplined for breaking team rules shortly before he went missing on March 3. Trafford’s girlfriend Skye Cieszlak spoke with Yahoo about how he reacted to the news.
“When I spoke to him he was completely devastated because he told me that the Spirit sent him home for good and that they didn’t want him back on the team because he had gotten in trouble,” said Cieszlak. “That’s what Terry had told me.”
Trafford was 20 years old.