Junior hockey players across Windsor-Essex are mourning the passing of a player.
The Lakeshore Canadiens confirmed via social media Wednesday morning that 20-year-old Sylvain Lessard died suddenly Tuesday night.
"He was a great teammate and a joy to be around at all times," read the post on the team's official Facebook page. "His infectious smile and pleasant conversation will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Lessard family and his many friends at this time."
Lessard, a Windsor native, played for the Leamington Flyers during the 2021-2022 season when they were still a Junior B team, according to Lessard's statistics page on the Canadiens' website.
"Syl was a great teammate but a better person," read a tweet from the Flyers.
Lessard played last season for the Wheatley Omstead Sharks, scoring 20 regular-season goals and one playoff goal. He began this season with Wheatley before being picked up by Lakeshore. He played two games this year for the Canadiens, scoring one goal.
Wednesday night's game in Dresden between the Canadiens and the Kings has been postponed with no word on a makeup date.
WindsorNewsToday.ca has reached out to the Canadiens organization for additional information.