Olds Grizzlys forward Tyler Kerner is mourning the loss of friend Taylor William Elliott, a former Grizzlys player who was recently found dead near his home in Pincher Creek on Dec. 17 after a two-week search.
Elliott, 22, had played for the Grizzlys from 2008 to 2011 and was reported missing after leaving his home early on Dec. 1.
Although Kerner and Elliott never played hockey together, Kerner said he was “best friends” with Elliott's brother Alex.
“Taylor was a leader, just a great guy. Everybody kind of looked up to him. His work ethic was just amazing (and) he was a happy guy to be around,” Kerner said.
He added his first thought when he found out Taylor was missing was that he would eventually be found safe. When Kerner found out that Elliott was found dead it was hard to believe, he said.
“I was very upset just knowing that he could make it through all of what was happening at the time when he went missing. To hear what happened just kind of hit deep knowing his family that well and knowing how good they are as a family together,” he said.
Police said no foul play is suspected.
Prior to the Grizzlys' game against the Sherwood Park Crusaders in Olds on Dec. 21, a moment of silence was observed and Grizzlys players wore a special decal on their helmets with Elliott's initials and number inside a grizzly paw.
Elliott was the team's rookie of the year in 2010, when he tallied 11 goals and 13 assists, and played 103 games over his three-year stretch with the club before being traded to the Brooks Bandits in 2011.
