Former second-round pick and Dallas Stars forward Raymond Sawada suffered a fatal heart attack while playing hockey earlier this week. He was 38 years old.
Sawada played in just 11 games for the Stars from 2008-11, scoring one goal. He played in 287 games in the American Hockey League.
“It is with heavy hearts we mourn the passing of former Stars player, Raymond Sawada,” the Stars said in a tweet.
It is with heavy hearts we mourn the passing of former Stars player, Raymond Sawada.
Our love goes out to his family, friends, and all the people he impacted in hockey and as a firefighter in his community. ?? pic.twitter.com/x2vuOinbJ4
— x – Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 12, 2023
In a note posted to a GoFundMe page, Sawada’s family said he died Monday. He retired from professional hockey in 2016 after a stint in the Asian League and returned to his home in Richmond, B.C., to become a firefighter.
Sawada is survived by his wife, Nicole, and daughters, ages 9 and 6.
–Field Level Media