The Moncton hockey community observes a minute of silence for the five-year-old who died Tuesday.
The Moncton hockey community observes a minute of silence for the five-year-old who died Tuesday
Tate Hughes turned 5 only a few weeks ago. But “Tater Tot,” as he was fondly referred to, got to touch many people’s hearts in the greater Moncton area during that time, before dying away abruptly on Tuesday.
Neil McGillis, a close friend of his, thinks it might have been his huge blue eyes. Or even his little, button nose.
He feels it was mostly due to his “infectious personality.”
“Tate was always smiling when I saw him,” McGillis explained. He was “always happy” and brightened each room he entered.
“He was the type of kid that would rush up to you, arms wide open, and give you a big hug. It didn’t matter if you were sixty, six, or anywhere in between.
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McGillis, responding on the behalf of Tate’s grandparents, Craig and Talia, did not elaborate on the reason or circumstances of his death on Friday.
“I do know that things unfolded swiftly, and it was all a shock to everybody and very sad.”
The family has been taken aback by the show of support, especially from the hockey community, according to McGillis.
Who coaches Tate’s nine-year-old brother Austin in the Moncton Minor Hockey Association‘s U11 AA Hawks.
“He planned to show up at the stadium dressed up in that. And we’d let him into the restroom to change like he was one of the young men. And he’d enter before the games and after the game,” she said.
Tate recently started playing with the U7 Blue Jays, and during a Hawks practice Wednesday night. All of his brother’s teammates wore helmet stickers with Tate’s blue #6 jersey. And wrote “Tate” on their hockey stick tape, he said.
A moment of silence was scheduled -Saturday
According to McGillis, the Hawks plan to honour Tate with a minute of silence before their game on Saturday at 10:45 a.m. at Moncton’s Superior Propane Centre, Rink A.
They expect a huge crowd, including Tate’s teammates, who will wear jerseys and join the Hawks on the ice.