There will be a big void on the bench and in the dressing room of the Mission City Outlaws starting next season.
For the club's entire existence, trainer Nikko Steenhuisen, who lives in Abbotsford, helped prepare, heal and nurse back to health the young hockey talent on the Outlaws.
But those skills were lost forever after Steenhuisen died on Saturday following a confrontation in the parking lot of a Home Hardware store in Grande Prairie, Alta.
Steenhuisen, who had been working in Edmonton and visiting family in Grand Prairie, was leaving the store just before 1 p.m. when he noticed a stranger sitting in his truck, according to police.
Steenhuisen confronted the man, who fled to another truck and attempted to drive away.
While trying to apprehend the suspect, Steenhuisen hopped onto the running board of the truck driven by the suspect when it collided with another parked vehicle, pinning him between the two vehicles.
The suspect drove away, leaving Steenhuisen severely injured in the parking lot.
Police and emergency services were called to the scene, where they found the victim, who was transported to QE2 hospital in Grande Prairie then airlifted to an Edmonton-area hospital.
Steenhuisen succumbed to his injuries before reaching Edmonton.
Police located a burned-out pickup truck in a rural area outside of the city later that day.
Members of the RCMP auto theft unit and forensic identification section examined the vehicle and determined it was the same stolen truck that was involved in the incident.
Michael Ginter, 30, of Grande Prairie is now charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of possession of property obtained by crime exceeding $5,000.
Outlaws owner Scott Kieler said Steenhuisen was an extremely valuable part of his franchise.
"We won't be able to replace him," he said, noting that Steenhuisen was also a former trainer for the Abbotsford Pilots. "He came over to Mission when they were the Icebreakers and he was actually the one who called me and told me to buy the team five years ago. I've worked with him ever since."
Kieler said that Steenhuisen was regarded as the top trainer in the Pacific Junior Hockey League, and was extremely dedicated to his role.
"He was so devoted, he would never miss a thing," he said. "He would always be upgrading his skills and was pretty much a doctor for our team. He was a very big part of the team and was very close with the boys."
Steenhuisen's impact was apparent by the outpouring on social media following the news of his death.
The PJHL office and six other teams all paid their respects to Steenhuisen online, as well as several players who he worked with over the years.
"Deepest condolences to the family of Nikko, great guy and trainer who loved his players. I'll remember you by this scar on my chin you stitched up," tweeted Bakshi Gill, who played two seasons on the Outlaws.
"Thank you for everything you have done and I'm sorry life has taken you in such a tragic and unnecessary way," tweeted Noah Wiebe, who was part of this year's championship Outlaws team.
Adding to the tragedy is that Steenhuisen leaves behind a wife and three young daughters. Kieler said the Outlaws will do their best to help the family in this difficult time.
"It's really sad," he said. "We have to take care of them."
Kieler said a GoFundMe page called "4 Nikko's Girls" will be set up to accept donations. He also said that the Outlaws will honour Steenhuisen with a nod to him on their helmets and possibly on the ice. Kieler said he has also heard that the PJHL may be creating an annual trainer award named after him.
"He was so well liked throughout the league," Kieler said. "I remember the first couple of years when we were knocked out early, he would come and ask me if he could go work with other teams. They wanted to pick him up for their playoff runs because he was so good."
He said the sting of Steenhuisen's loss will be felt in the Outlaws organization for a long time, but that it was nice for the beloved trainer to earn a PJHL ring this year with the Outlaws.
"All he ever talked about was getting a ring," Kieler said. "The boys told him they would get him a ring this year and they did."
For more information on helping out the Steenhuisen family, visit facebook.com/4nikkosgirls.
- With files from Vikki Hopes, Abbotsford News