Toronto Marlies: Former goaltender Ray Emery reportedly dead at 35
By James Reeve
Former NHL Champion and one-time Toronto Marlies goaltender Ray Emery has reportedly died, after swimming in the Hamilton Harbour Sunday.
Some sad news to share, after former Toronto Marlies goalie Ray Emery reportedly died on Sunday in an apparent drowning incident.
The Hamilton Spectator reported that a recovery effort was underway, with an unidentified man being presumed drowned after going swimming with friends at the Royal Hamilton Yacht Club at around 6:30 in the morning.
Later on, photojournalist Andrew Collins posted on his Twitter account that friends and first responders identified the man as Emery.
Friends and first responders have identified victim in early morning drowning at the Hamilton Harbour as former @NHL goalie Ray Emery. Ray played the @ottawasenators, @NHLBlackhawks, @AnaheimDucks and the @NHLFlyers. He was swimming with several friends & never surfaced #HamOnt pic.twitter.com/QpD2tNwDzs
— Andrew Collins (@ACollinsPhoto) July 15, 2018
Emery, who was a native of Hamilton, Ontario, spent 11 seasons playing as a goaltender in the NHL, featuring for the Ottawa Senators, Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks.
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Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2001 draft by the Senators, Emery went on to win the Stanley Cup in the 2012-13 season – acting as the team’s backup behind Corey Crawford.
His last season with the Blackhawks also saw him win the Jennings Trophy, alongside Crawford, for the goaltending team to concede the fewest goals in an NHL regular season.
After returning to the Flyers for another two seasons, Emery’s playing career came to an end with spells in the AHL and top league in Germany.
One of the AHL teams Emery played for in his final season was the Toronto Marlies, with the former Stanley Cup champion making just appearances for the club.
One player who played alongside Emery with the Marlies was Garret Sparks, who recently lifted the Calder Cup with the team.
After hearing the news of Emery’s death, Sparks posted on his Twitter account, paying tribute to his one-time teammate:
Horrible to hear about the tragic passing of Ray Emery. He was an incredible NHL goalie that accomplished so much in the game, a lot of which went under the radar. He was also one of my favorite @TorontoMarlies teammates in his brief time with us. Rest In Peace to a legend #Razor
— Garret Sparks (@GSparks40) July 15, 2018
The former NHLer was well-known for his fiery personality and was popular with fans and players around the league.
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The news of Emery’s death will no doubt be a shock to everyone and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time.