James Guest, Etobicoke Thornhill Secondary School Hockey Player, Dies At 16

 James Guest, Etobicoke Thornhill Secondary School Hockey Player, Dies At 16

The tight-knit community of Etobicoke Thornhill Secondary School is mourning the tragic loss of 16-year-old hockey player James Guest, who passed away suddenly on Tuesday evening.

Guest, a promising defenseman for the school’s junior varsity hockey team, collapsed during practice at the Thornhill Community Centre. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but despite their best efforts, James could not be revived.

The cause of death has been confirmed as sudden cardiac arrest, a devastating but rare condition that can affect young athletes without warning. Medical experts note that such incidents, while shocking, highlight the importance of cardiac screening for student athletes.

“James was not just an exceptional player, but an outstanding young man who brought joy to everyone around him,” said Coach Mike Thompson. “His dedication to the sport and his teammates was inspiring.”

The Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations has announced that all hockey activities across the province will observe a moment of silence this weekend in James’s memory.

James was a straight-A student and active community volunteer, planning to pursue engineering studies after graduation. He is survived by his parents, Sarah and David Guest, and younger sister Emma.

A memorial service will be held Friday at St. John’s Anglican Church. The school has established the James Guest Memorial Scholarship Fund to support student athletes in his honor.