Former NHL player and Richmond man dies ‘playing the game he loved’

A fundraiser has been launched for former NHL player and Burnaby firefighter Raymond Sawada.

Sawada, 38, died on Monday “while playing the game he loved,” according to the GoFundMe organized by Brianne Sameshima.

The Richmond resident reportedly died of a heart attack while playing for a recreational senior men’s league team.

“Ray was such a bright light in the lives he touched,” said the fundraising campaign. “Ray was passionately driven and motivated in everything he did, and the surrounding community will be left with a void.”

He leaves behind his wife Nicole, and two daughters, Victoria, 9, and Charlotte, 6.