Fans, friends, teammates and family of fallen IceCat hockey player Jaxon Logan gathered Monday evening at a memorial service in Provo to remember and honor the life that Logan lived.

“I’m glad we have the chance to gather here and say great things about a great guy,” IceCats head coach Matt Beaudry said. “Jaxon was a quiet, friendly, outwardly easy going guy, liked by everyone on the team.”

Logan, 18, passed away Friday night after he was struck in the chest by a puck during the second period of a game against Northern Colorado. To honor his memory, team co-captain Mark Ostebo announced that no hockey player for the IceCats organization would every again wear No. 11, the number that Logan wore.

The IceCat’s other captain, Jimmy Burkart said that Logan’s final game was the best game he had ever seen him play. He also told the congregation that he knew Logan’s death was just a prelude to another life.

In a change to the printed program, Logan’s parents requested that the congregation sing the hymn, “Called to Serve” because of their faith that their son was still serving the Lord.

Logan’s friend and teammate Nate Hymas, who is preparing to serve an LDS mission, said that Logan’s death taught him the purpose of life, and prepared him to serve a mission more than anything else could have.

Logan’s parents will now travel with their son’s body to Alaska where another memorial service will occur and he will be buried.

A memorial fund has been established to help pay for their travel and for funeral arrangements. More information about how to donate may be acquired at www.icecathockey.org.



Copyright Brigham Young University 25 Jan 2005