Hockey community mourns trainer killed following motorcycle crash in south London

Local hockey leagues in the London areaare grieving the loss of a prominent teammember who died following a crash withhis motorcycle and a vehicle in the city's south-end Friday afternoon.

In social media posts, hockey clubs paid tribute to the deceased man they identified as Joe Gowers, a formertrainer for the London Nationals and the St. Marys Lincolns.London police have not yet released his identity.

"Every day around Joe was a good day. Hetook so much pride in taking care of the players and being involved in a team. He went above and beyond for everyone and hewas a great guy," St. Marys Lincolns' head coach Jeff Bradley told CBC London.

On Fridayaround 1:30 p.m. emergency crews were called to the intersection ofColonel Talbot Road and Southminster Bourne for a serious crash involving a motorcycle and a vehicle.

Police said the motorcyclist was taken to hospital in life threatening condition, where he died of his injuries the next day. The driver of the other vehicle stayed on scene and London police's traffic management unit is continuing to investigate the fatal collision.

Former players and colleagues say Gowers'really cared'

Bradley said the hockey community is shocked and devastated after hearing about Gower's death, with many former players and coaches Gowers worked with also reaching out to offer their condolences.

"He was someone who just really cared about what he did," said Bradley. "He was an amazing teammate and competitor and I'm sure he'd want to be remembered as the great father that he was."

In a Facebook post, the London Nationals said Gowers brought a positive energy to the team and constantly looked out for players. They said he is survived by threesons and a daughter.

"The London Nationals would like to extend their condolences to the family and friends of former team trainer Joe Gowers," the league wrote.

"We send love to his two sons Carter and Logan in this tough time. After Joe's time with the Nationals he moved on to join the Lincolns family, we'd like to also send our thoughts and prayers to the St.Marys community. A friend's light may dim, but their impact never fades."

The St. Marys Lincolns are remembering Gowers as someone who "loved his team, loved his players, and took pride in everything he did," they wrote in a post on Facebook. "He will be missed by all of the people who had the fortune of connecting with him at and away from the rink. Our thoughts are with Joe's friends and family during this tragic time."

Gowersserved as astaff member for the London Nationals for a decade from 2012 to 2022 and later joined the Lincolns last year, the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League said.

Gowers was also a member of theBikers Against Child Abuse's Railway City chapter where he was known as "Poet",according to a post fromThe Legacy Chapter, a non-profit supporting bereaved families of motorcyclists.

Policeare asking anyone with dash-cam footage, video surveillance, to come forward with any information that can assist with the investigation.