Men's hockey league, friends and family honor Hayden Nelson after unexpected death
EDINA, Minn. — On any given Minnesota night, where ice time is available, a men's league hockey game is being played. But this night is different.
"It was Hayden's favorite day of the week every week," said Ted Larson. "He always wanted to come here and play."
Just on Jan. 27, 22-year-old Hayden Nelson died in his sleep. After an autopsy, the reason is still unknown.
"It was a nightmare," described his mother Ann Kansanback. "Just kind of shock and disbelief. Heartbroken."
On this night, Nelson's hockey team is honoring him.
"He was the most joyous kid in the room wherever he went in," said Larson, Nelson's childhood friend and men's league teammate.
The league's season started just after Christmas. That's when Nelson and two friends joined the team. Their ice time together was cut short.
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"For the seven, eight years of our friendship I never got to play with him," said Larson. "We finally got to be on the same team together. Which is — was pretty awesome."
"The last thing that I know my brother would want is to stop doing anything we've been doing," said Nelson's brother Hunter; which is why he has decided to take his brother's spot on the roster.
"Just excited to get back and out and keep skating again," said Hunter. "Life gets in the way of just doing the fun things like skating. So it's cool to get back out here."
Nelson's family taking this time to prioritize their time. A large group watching a recreational game, on an otherwise average night.
"I've spent many years watching both of them play hockey," said Kansanback. "I love to watch them skate."
"Being able to remember his name in the way of hockey, it's kind of beautiful," said Larson.