MINOR HOCKEY MOURNS

A private tragedy suddenly turned public Monday evening.

The suicide of a 15-year-old Kelowna minor hockey player was the top story
on a provincial newscast.

The teen's midget AA team had travelled to Surrey to catch a Canucks game
and play an exhibition game against a local team.

After the exhibition game Saturday, two Kelowna players were caught smoking
marijuana.

The teens were sent back to their hotel room and threatened with
suspension. Around midnight, one of the boys went into the hotel room
washroom. When he didn't come out his teammate grew worried and went to get
the coach.

When the coach broke down the bathroom door, he discovered that the teen
had hanged himself.

Staff at the Ramada Inn in Surrey, where the teen was staying, refused comment.

Surrey RCMP can say little about the incident except that they were called
to the hotel at 12:30 a.m. Sunday for a body found.

Surrey RCMP Constable Tim Shields said it's a tragedy for everyone
involved, from the players to the coaches to the parents.

"Our hearts go out to them," Shields said.

"We suspect no foul play. It's a real tragedy."

The Kelowna team returned home by bus on Sunday. Witnesses say the people
on board were crying.

The boys were to face a disciplinary meeting with their coach, the league
and their parents this week. That meeting has since been cancelled.

The player involved was said to be an only child.

Ron Rubadeau, Central Okanagan superintendent of schools, acknowledged the
teenager was enrolled in the local school system, and that counsellors will
be available to students who need help dealing with this tragedy.

Kelowna Minor Hockey Association officials did not return calls from The
Daily Courier.