Police: Hockey Player Killed Self By Asphyxiation

Terry Trafford (Handout photo/courtesy Toronto Police Service)

SAGINAW (WWJ/AP) - Police say that 20-year-old Saginaw Spirit minor league hockey player Terry Trafford died of self-inflicted asphyxiation inside his car parked outside a Wamart store.

State police Lt. Brian Cole told The Saginaw News the autopsy completed Thursday shows the asphyxiation "appears to be self-inflicted," although he declined to identify how the asphyxiation happened. Authorities are still awaiting toxicology results.

Trafford had been missing since March 3rd after being disciplined by the hockey club for a violation of team rules. Police say he texted his girlfriend last Sunday, saying his "life was over and that he didn't want to do it anymore."

The Ontario Hockey League team says its home game with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds that was postponed from Wednesday because of Trafford's death will take place Monday, ending its regular season. Saginaw visits the Greyhounds on Friday, then hosts the London Knights on Saturday.

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