Memorials - including games at Compuware Arena - planned this week for fallen hockey player Ian Jenkins
Memorial games are planned for Saturday for a star hockey player from Ypsilanti who died Monday.
Ian Jenkins, 15, died just before 8 a.m. Monday at the University of Michigan Health System. The Milan High School sophomore fell or jumped off a pick-up truck and hit his head Thursday afternoon in Milan.
Ian Jenkins
Photo courtesy of Jenkins family
The day before the accident last week, the top goaltending prospect signed a contract with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, a route for young hockey players considered to be the fastest route to the National Hockey League.
Mike Hamilton, who coached Jenkins for six years, said the games are a fitting tribute to the young athlete and healthy a way for players to express their grief and heal.
“They’re going skating in honor of him,” Hamilton said.
The games are planned for 2 p.m. Saturday at Compuware Arena, 14900 Beck Road, in Plymouth.
The family has set up the Big “E” Foundation in honor of Jenkins. The games are its first fundraiser.
Big “E” was Jenkins’ nickname on the ice, Hamilton said.
A visitation and funeral has also been planned. The visitation will be held from 2 to 9 p.m. Friday at Vermeulen Funeral Home, 46401 W. Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth. The memorial service is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Northridge Church, 49555 N. Territorial Road in Plymouth.
For more details, visit http://www.banditsgoaltending.com.
Juliana Keeping covers general assignment and health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at julianakeeping@annarbor.com or 734-623-2528. Follow Juliana Keeping on Twitter
Comments
CincoDeMayo
Thu, May 26, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
These kinds of accidents are not uncommon. The fall from a vehicle is unpredictable and does not leave much opportunity to control how one lands. Among other accidents that I have seen of this type is one where a boy, sitting on top of the back of a seat in a convertible, lost his cap and reached over to try to grab it. Instead of reaching his cap, he fell landing on his head and died from the trauma. So sad, all of these incidents. It sounds like Ian's drive and determination will continue to be an inspiration to all those who knew him. He sounds like he was well loved, also. We will be at Compuware at some point this week and will take a minute to say a prayer for him and his family and friends.
Goofus
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 1:46 p.m.
It's a literal headline. As in "fallin' off a truck".
Wolf's Bane
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 12:57 p.m.
"Fallen" Hockey player? Jesus.
Susan Montgomery
Wed, May 25, 2011 : 12:42 a.m.
What a terrific idea for a memorial. Coach Hamilton, I urge you to rethink your "Crying will not be allowed in the ice rink, we are hockey players!" statement quoted in the other article about this event. The young men mourning their friend ought to learn that crying is an absolutely acceptable way to show their grief, in or out of the hockey rink...