Statement on incident involving Hurricanes players, alumnus

 

Calgary, Alta. – The Lethbridge Hurricanes Hockey Club and Western Hockey League are deeply saddened by the events involving two Hurricanes players – Jordy Bellerive and Ryan Vandervlis – and WHL Alumnus Matt Alfaro.

Alfaro, Bellerive and Vandervlis suffered various injuries resulting from an incident involving the starting of a campfire on the evening of Friday, June 15. All three are currently being treated for their injuries at a hospital in Calgary.

It has been reported that the campfire occurred during a bachelor party. These reports are inaccurate. The campfire occurred at the family home of WHL Alumnus Tyler Wong the evening prior to a planned day of golf.

Alfaro and Bellerive are currently in stable condition. Vandervlis has been placed in a medically-induced coma and is in critical condition.

Further information will be provided as it is made available.

Statement from the Vandervlis Family

Our son and brother, Ryan Vandervlis, was injured at a campfire this past weekend. We want to be clear that alcohol was not a factor in this accident.

Ryan is in a medically-induced coma as he suffered severe burns to his body. He is receiving exceptional medical care in an intensive-care unit in Calgary where he remains in critical condition.

We are grateful and overwhelmed by the amount of love and support we have received and pray that Ryan will make a full recovery.

– Barb, Rene, Cara, Sean & Rachel Vandervlis

Statement from the Wong Family

On Friday evening, nine of Tyler’s friends came to our house to stay the night as they were planning to go golfing and camping on Saturday. It was not a stag or bachelor party, as has been inaccurately reported.

In starting a campfire, the accident occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Wong were present and acted quickly to transport those injured to a Calgary hospital.

We are earnestly praying for three of Tyler’s closest friends – Ryan, Jordy and Matt – along with their families, for comfort and healing during this time of hurt.

– The Wong Family

Statement from WHL Commissioner Ron Robison

The entire WHL family is deeply concerned for the well-being of the three players involved in the accident that occurred Friday evening. The WHL has been in contact with the Lethbridge Hurricanes and will continue to support the Club and the families concerned during the recovery process.

– WHL Commissioner Ron Robison

The Lethbridge Hurricanes will hold a media conference with General Manager Peter Anholt on Tuesday, June 19 at 12:30 p.m. MT at the ENMAX Centre in Lethbridge (#2, 2510 Scenic Drive South). Please inform Dustin Forbes ([email protected]) on your attendance.

About the Western Hockey League
Regarded as the world’s finest development league for junior hockey players, the Western Hockey League (WHL) head office is based in Calgary, Alberta. The WHL consists of 22 member Clubs with 17 located in Western Canada and five in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. A member of the Canadian Hockey League, the WHL has been a leading supplier of talent for the National Hockey League for over 50 years. The WHL is also the leading provider of hockey scholarships with over 350 graduates each year receiving WHL Scholarships to pursue a post-secondary education of their choice. Each season, WHL players also form the nucleus of Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team.