Oilers prospect Kristians Pelss apparently dead

[metallicat]

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/touch...tml?rel=847766


Still seems a bit unconfirmed but reports are he's missing and I guess presumed dead.

[tvp2003]

Link doesn't work -- try this: http://blogs.edmontonjournal.com/201...ping-in-river/

[gilligans_off]

Tragic if true. Still Sounds fishy but I hope for the best in any case.

[DionTheDman]

Unfortunate.

Strange that all of the Western Canadian teams have had young prospects pass away recently. Luc Bourdon, Mickey Renaud, and now this guy.

[bubbsy]

yikes, hopefully it's not true, and he is found somewhere soon.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by fotze

Not that it matters to this story, but how was he regarded as a prospect. Longshot? Sure thing?

Given his size and draft spot, I would say long shot. One of those kids that benefited from playing junior with a team owned by an NHL franchise.

Sad story if true. Hopefully the family's hope is rewarded and he is found alive.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by fotze

Not that it matters to this story, but how was he regarded as a prospect. Longshot? Sure thing?

From the blog above:

Pelss had a difficult season, not playing or scoring much and getting the 21-game suspension for a nasty slash. Here is what the Cult of Hockey’s Bruce McCurdy reported on Pelss the hockey player heading into 2012-13.

“Kristians Pelss had a successful second season with the Oil Kings, impressing Oilers brass sufficiently to snag a pro contract in the spring. Just 5’11 but powerfully built, the winger is an intriguing package who skates like the wind and forechecks like a buzzsaw. Pelss notched 28 goals in 2011-12 to rank third on the WHL champion Oil Kings, but his 22 assists and 50 points were underwhelming for an import forward in his 19-year-old season. Kristians was an effective penalty-killer with a knack for scoring big goals. His +34 rating placed him among team leaders for a second straight year, attesting to a solid two-way game. He also served Latvia as captain at the World Juniors.
Outlook: One of the youngest players in his draft class (7th round, #181 in 2010), Pelss will turn pro in the fall, but whether that will be with OKC or Stockton is anybody’s guess.”

Hope he's okay and that this is just false rumour.

[metallicat]

It's not sounding good based on the way they're talking on the radio. Terribly sad for anyone this young to die.

[FlameZilla]

I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy... which happens to be the Oilers. Such a shame.

[DoubleK]

I was able to watch him play several times during the World Juniors. He was a pretty darn good hockey player.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by fotze

Not that it matters to this story, but how was he regarded as a prospect. Longshot? Sure thing?

He is/was a long shot. I watched him a lot with the Oil Kings and he was a good junior, gritty and a decent scorer. He is/was unlikely to ever play in the NHL.

[Stay Golden]

Is the story leaning towards suicide he jumped off a bridge.
Sad only 20 years old.

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Is the story leaning towards suicide he jumped off a bridge.
Sad only 20 years old.

yeah but he left his clothes and his cell phone on the bridge. Do people who commit suicide usually do things like that? I read somewhere that bridge is right next to the "club scene". I think that it was probably some drunken fun gone wrong ..

[Hatter]

Tragic. He's too young.

[OILFAN #81]

RIP Kristians. Terrible news. I've seen him play live a few times. He had skill.

[Flashpoint]

Originally Posted by nickerjones

yeah but he left his clothes and his cell phone on the bridge. Do people who commit suicide usually do things like that? I read somewhere that bridge is right next to the "club scene". I think that it was probably some drunken fun gone wrong ..

I've heard that suicides do sometimes undress before attempting to take their own life.

No idea why. A tragic story for someone so young.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

So do people jumping into any body of water. I would be hesitant to make the assumption that it was a suicide because he left his cell phone on the bridge, for all we know it could have been a drunken mistake or just a stupid mistake as is prone to happen to 20 year olds... if you want evidence of that look at every bridge near a river that tells people not to jump. They are there for a reason.

[Drake]

Former Stars draft pick Scott Winkler also found dead at his parents home in Norway. He just finished his senior season at Colorado College.

http://www.cctigers.com/news/2013/6/13/MHOCK_0613132557.aspx

[OILFAN #81]

#OKCBarons "@rsport_en: Latvian Hockey Federation tells R-Sport #Oilers prospect Kristians #Pelss is alive, but lost near Daugava River."

[Drury18]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

#OKCBarons "@rsport_en: Latvian Hockey Federation tells R-Sport #Oilers prospect Kristians #Pelss is alive, but lost near Daugava River."

I hope this is true and that he is doing well. Hockey doesn't need another death today.

If this is a suicide attempt, hopefully he can get some help. He's 20, he's got alot of life left to live.