Wheatland Kings mourn the loss of former player

O'Shea Red Crow, a former player with the Agra Risk Wheatland Kings, passed away on Sunday (June 1).

The 21-year-old passed away after Calgary Police received reports of a man who had fallen from a building on Third Street S.E. The man was confirmed to be Red Crow by his family.

Head coach Douglas Raycroft met with media at the Strathmore Family Centre to talk about the loss.

"Of course, everybody is devastated to hear about O'Shea, and we really feel a lot of compassion for his family and close friends," said Raycroft. "He was a giant on the ice and a soft-spoken, humble person off the ice."

Red Crow played two seasons with the Kings, once in the 2021-22 season, and again in the 2023-24 season. Between the seasons he played for the Vernal Oilers. For the 2024-25 season, he played for the Siksika Buffaloes.

"It sure takes a big kink out of your armour. He was way too young a man to die," added Raycroft. "It's pretty hard, but nothing close to the devastation I know his family and friends will feel."

The coach said that Red Crow, nicknamed "Cookie", was always proud of who he was, his Indigenous heritage, and his love for sports.

"He was very shy off the ice. A man of few words. But on the ice, he was a big, strong player that really stuck up for his team."

Between his two seasons with the Kings, Red Crow earned 5 goals, 16 assists, and a total of 21 points.

Red Crow's shine is located at the Strathmore Family Centre, with fans invited to pay their respects and leave flowers or memorial items.