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PORT PERRY, Ont. (Jan. 6) - Don Sanderson was in a coma during Christmas and missed celebrating his favorite time of year, so hundreds of mourners solemnly sang a yuletide carol Monday at the funeral for the 21-year-old hockey player who died following an on-ice fight.
Sanderson, a rookie defenseman with the Whitby Dunlops of the Ontario Hockey Association, died Friday after falling into a coma following a tussle during a Dec. 12 game at the Brantford Civic Centre.
He was squaring off against Brantford Blast forward Corey Fulton during the third period when his helmet fell off. Towards the end of the fight, both players tumbled to the ice.
Sanderson struck the back of his bare head and was out cold for about 30 seconds before he briefly regained consciousness. The York University student eventually fell into a coma, underwent brain surgery and was moved to life support until his death.
Sanderson's death has reignited the debate over the rules governing the use of helmets by hockey players.
OHA rules state that helmets approved by the Canadian Standards Association must be worn and fastened securely with a chin strap.
Association president Brent Ladds has said officials often point out improperly worn helmets during the pregame warm-up and that the issue will be raised at the organization's next monthly board meeting.
At that night's NHL game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators at the Air Canada Centre, players from both teams paid tribute to Sanderson, tapping their sticks on the ice as his image was shown on the video screen.
"It shows you how the hockey community, they're a family, and how we feel," Cherry said outside the service. "You could see the Toronto Maple Leafs and what they said, and I remember the one (Matt) Stajan said: We all feel that we've lost a member of our family almost, and I don't know what else to say except God love him and we're all here for him."
Sanderson, a rookie defenseman with the Whitby Dunlops of the Ontario Hockey Association, died Friday after falling into a coma following a tussle during a Dec. 12 game at the Brantford Civic Centre.
He was squaring off against Brantford Blast forward Corey Fulton during the third period when his helmet fell off. Towards the end of the fight, both players tumbled to the ice.
Sanderson struck the back of his bare head and was out cold for about 30 seconds before he briefly regained consciousness. The York University student eventually fell into a coma, underwent brain surgery and was moved to life support until his death.
Sanderson's death has reignited the debate over the rules governing the use of helmets by hockey players.
OHA rules state that helmets approved by the Canadian Standards Association must be worn and fastened securely with a chin strap.
Association president Brent Ladds has said officials often point out improperly worn helmets during the pregame warm-up and that the issue will be raised at the organization's next monthly board meeting.
At that night's NHL game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ottawa Senators at the Air Canada Centre, players from both teams paid tribute to Sanderson, tapping their sticks on the ice as his image was shown on the video screen.
"It shows you how the hockey community, they're a family, and how we feel," Cherry said outside the service. "You could see the Toronto Maple Leafs and what they said, and I remember the one (Matt) Stajan said: We all feel that we've lost a member of our family almost, and I don't know what else to say except God love him and we're all here for him."
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