A member of the Heritage Junior Hockey League's Coaldale Copperheads, Morgan Simpson, who was originally from Airdrie, passed away on Friday after being involved in a car accident earlier in the week.  

19-year-old Simpson was an alumnus of the Airdrie Minor Hockey Association.  He joined the HJHL's Cochrane Generals before becoming a member of the Copperheads.   He had six points in 28 games with Coaldale this season.

In spite of the tragedy, the Copperheads elected to go ahead with their final two playoff games against the High River Flyers this weekend.  Coaldale thanked the Flyers for their support on Friday night and acknowledged that High River had lost captain Eli Gosselin in a car accident in December of 2015.

The Copperheads won Friday's game 3 - 2 in overtime and took the series in five games last night with a 2 - 1 win.

In a statement released about Simpson's passing, the HJHL said, "The Heritage Junior Hockey League's thoughts and prayers are with Morgan Simpson's family and his Coaldale Copperheads teammates at this time.  Morgan's big heart and personality were contagious around his teammates and friends."

Most of the Heritage League teams have also expressed their sorrow at Simpson's untimely death.  In a Tweet, the Airdrie Thunder said, "With heavy hearts we say goodbye to #26.  Morgs you might have gone to heaven but you will always be in our hearts.  We love you kid!  In a short time on this earth you have taught people to smile and always be kind.  That's who you were kid.  We will miss you so much."

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