Tragic News Strikes The Hockey Community As 23-Year Old Goaltender Losses His Life To Cancer

"It is with a broken heart that I share my sweet baby brother Paddy joined our Heavenly Father this weekend and is off on his next adventure.

Jobs finished, the fight is won. They gave Paddy six months, he gave it 3 years. Fought til the final horn sounded, into overtime and the shootout. He faced the battle of his life with the same mentality he has as a goalie in net: humble, confident, positive, determined, focusing on one shot at a time, with a smile on his face. He was fearless in the face of uncertainty. He never complained, never gave up. My broken heart is filled with so much love and pride to be his sister.

It was the honor of my life to be by his side through this fight, I would've done it forever, whatever it took. While his time on earth was too short, his impact on those who have the privilege to know him, his heart or know his story will live forever. I will spend the rest of my life trying to be more like Paddy and make him as proud of me as I am of him.

I'll miss his infectious laugh, his smile, those perfect eyelashes, going to hockey games with him to cheer on his Sharks or his buddy Lukas in net, our nights just hanging out on the couch watching movies, quoting Squidward and King Julian back & forth, arguing over who has the better music taste, our car rides to pick up dinner and then McDonald's diet cokes after because the McDonald's fountain is far superior than any other restaurant."

"With a heavy heart we mourn the loss of our friend Paddy O'Donnell, who passed away over the weekend.

We were thrilled to host Paddy and his family two seasons ago at Hockey Fights Cancer Night, where the former goalie spent time postgame with his friend, our own Lukas Dostal.

Our thoughts and best wishes go out to the O'Donnell family and everybody who had the pleasure of bringing Paddy into their lives."