19-year-old goalie passes away tragically

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Josh Tupper
September 1, 2023 (8:09)

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In extremely sad news a 19-year-old junior hockey goalie has died after being involved in a head-on collision on Wednesday. The Prédateurs de Joliett, a Junior A team in Quebec announced the awful news today.

The Prédateurs announced that 19-year-old Émile Gagné had passed away after suffering serious injuries in an early morning crash.

"We regret to inform you that our player Émile Gagné tragically lost his life today in a car accident. Émile played half a season with the Preds in 2022-2023. Before becoming a Preds, he played for Le Titan de Princeville in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023." - Prédateurs de Joliette

The news was also confirmed by Le Titan de Princeville.

"It's with a heavy heart that this message is written today... we're all speechless. This Wednesday morning, August 30, 2023, Émile Gagné, former Titan color bearer, died tragically in a traffic accident at the age of just 19...
The organization wishes to offer its deepest condolences to his parents and friends as well as his current teammates at the Predators of Joliette and his former teammates with Le Titan de Princeville

All our thoughts are with you... be strong.

Émile, wherever you are, take good care of those you loved and give them the strength to overcome the huge void you leave in their lives...
Love you Émile"...

Gagne was previously drafted by the Shawinigan Cataractes of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, but had yet to make his debut. A GoFundMe has been setup to help Gagne's family with expenses at this difficult time. The page shares that "Émile was a hard worker, ready to help anyone who needed it...was an energetic person who was passionate about hockey. A prodigy on the ice, both as a player and as a goalkeeper."

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Gagne family at this time.