EVERETT — A family torn apart, a team left grieving. That’s what was left in the wake of the death of Jordan Mistelbacher.
Mistelbacher, who spent parts of the past three seasons with the Everett Silvertips, was found dead in his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Tuesday. He turned 19 on Sunday.
“I think we all can’t believe it, it doesn’t seem real,” said Lynne Mistelbacher, Jordan’s mother, from the family home in Winnipeg on Wednesday. “It seems like he should be walking through that door.”
Everett’s players were informed of Mistelbacher’s death during a team meeting Tuesday night. The Silvertips had another meeting Wednesday morning at which the team’s psychologist and minister were present, then participated in an informal skate in lieu of practice.
The Tips declined to comment beyond this brief press release:
“The entire Everett Silvertips organization is extremely saddened to hear of the death of one of its former players, Jordan Mistelbacher.
“Our sincere and deepest condolences go out to Lynne and Mark Mistelbacher, his brother Tyler, sister Brittany, and their family.
“We respectfully ask the media to afford our players some privacy as they go through the next few days of grieving for a friend and former teammate.”
No one in the organization, including the players, was made available to the media Wednesday. A team spokesperson said members of the organization would comment today.
Mistelbacher, a 6-foot-2, 209-pound power forward who had four goals and two assists in 26 games for Everett this season, had been reassigned on Saturday to the Winnipeg Saints of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Mistelbacher practiced with the Saints on Monday. Lynne Mistelbacher said her son went out Monday night to celebrate his birthday with friends. He never returned home.
A Winnipeg police spokeswoman confirmed that police found a deceased 19-year-old male at a residence Tuesday, though she would not confirm his name.
The police spokeswoman said an autopsy was performed Wednesday, and that based on initial indications the death was not being considered suspicious. The police were still awaiting toxicology results, which might not be available for some time. Even when the tests are complete, by Manitoba law they do not have to be released to the public.
“All I know is he went out drinking and they think that had a lot to do with it,” Lynne Mistelbacher said. “I guess he got sick and his friend laid him down. And when he went back to check on him, he was semiconscious and (the friend) called 911.”
The legal drinking age in Canada is 18. The police did not take anyone into custody in connection with Mistelbacher’s death.
The Mistelbacher family spent Wednesday mourning and remembering one of their own.
“We’re just remembering about Jordan right now, how jolly he was, how he liked to joke, how he loved people and animals,” Mark Mistelbacher, Jordan’s father, said. “We’re chuckling at times and crying at times. And we’re remembering how much he loved playing in Everett, the fans and his billets (host families) and the players. I hope the players don’t take it too hard, and play even stronger for him.”
Mistelbacher was acquired by Everett in January 2007, when the Tips picked up his rights along with defenseman Dane Crowley from Swift Current in exchange for defenseman Eric Doyle.
Mistelbacher, who played for the Saints at the time, was called up by Everett for three games during the regular season and played in nine of the Tips’ 12 playoff contests.
Last season as a rookie, Mistelbacher appeared in 67 games, scoring 10 goals with 10 assists.
This season, Mistelbacher was expected to be an impact player for the Tips. However, his season hit an early bump when he was sent home during the preseason for disciplinary reasons.
He returned to the team during the second week of the season, but found his playing time diminished. He played in just one of Everett’s first seven games following the Christmas break before being reassigned.
At the time of Mistelbacher’s demotion, Tips general manager Doug Soetaert said it was strictly a hockey decision and that past disciplinary issues did not play a factor.
Mistelbacher remained an affiliated player, which meant he could have been recalled by the Silvertips as an injury replacement.
“I think he was down in the dumps and wanted to turn things around and get his confidence back,” Lynne Mistelbacher said. “The Saints really wanted him and he was excited about that.
“He loved Everett so much, he loved the guys on the team,” Lynne Mistelbacher added. “I know he wasn’t happy because he wasn’t playing, and I told him he should be here. But he was really close to everyone there, I think it’s why he stayed as long as he did.”
Nick Patterson’s Silvertips blog: www.heraldnet.com/silvertipsblog.
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